Dawson stars in Zalmi’s thrilling HBL PSL triumph

By Our Correspondent

March 02, 2019

KARACHI: In what was one of the most exciting encounters of HBL Pakistan Super League season 4 yet, Liam Dawson hit a last-ball boundary to give Peshawar Zalmi a thrilling four-wicket victory against Islamabad United in Dubai on Friday.

The English batsman, who made a slow start to the current season, smashed a boundary off seasoned pacer Mohammad Sami on the last ball of the match make sure that Peshawar stay on top of the points table.

Needing 14 off the last over Peshawar’s skipper Darren Sammy — limping with a leg injury — smashed the fourth ball over the long-off boundary for a six but was run out in attempt to take a sharp single as he missed the ball off the fifth.

But Dawson, who smashed a 35-ball 52* — his first fifty of the current season — with three sixes and as many boundaries, kept his cool to give Peshawar their fifth win in seven games and the first team to get ten points.

But Sammy was equally heroic with 29-ball 40 with two sixes and as many boundaries. He helped Dawson clinch the game with a partnership of 89 in 8.2 overs.

Islamabad United were all out for 176 off the final over with Cameroon Delport hitting a solid 55-ball 71 with eight boundaries and a six after they were put into bat.Peshawar were off to a brisk start with Kamran Akmal (12-ball 19 with two sixes and a boundary) and Andre Fletcher (21-ball 21 with two sixes and a boundary) smashing three sixes in Rumman Raees’s third over.

Kamran, when on 11, became the first batsman to complete 1,000 runs in HBL PSL. His feat came in 41st match. But after a brisk start of 37 and then reach 58-1, Peshawar lost four wickets in the space of just 26 runs. Left arm spinner Zafar Gohar had Kamran and dangerman Kieron Pollard (one) while Shadab Khan had Fletcher and Imam-ul-Haq (15) to leave Peshawar in a spot of bother with the board reading 84-5.

Dawson smashed two sixes and a boundary to collect 27 in Faheem Ashraf’s 13th and that lifted the tempo.Sammy matched his partner shot for shot by hitting a four and a six off Rumman as the target was reduced to 22 off two overs. Peshawar were lucky in the penultimate over when Sammy was caught off a Faheem no-ball.

Islamabad are second with eight points in eight games, four wins and as many defeats. Quetta are third with eight points in six games (four wins and two defeats), Lahore Qalandars are fourth (six points in seven matches with three wins and four losses), Karachi Kings are fifth (three wins, four losses in seven games with six points) while Multan Sultans are sixth (four points with two wins and five losses in seven matches).

Sammy showed delight at crossing the line.

“That’s what makes the HBL PSL exciting,” said Sammy. “I am very happy, it went to close but happy that we crossed the line.”

Islamabad captain Sami praised Dawson for hitting a last ball boundary.“Yes, it was exciting and I tried my level best and bowled full length but credit to Dawson who hit it for a four,”said Sami.Delport anchored Islamabad’s innings.

Delport added 46 for the second wicket with Phil Salt who made 18-ball 28 with five boundaries and 70 for the third wicket with Chadwick Walton who made 14-ball 22 with two boundaries and a six.Asif Ali smashed two sixes and a boundary in his 13-ball 23 but Islamabad lost their last seven wickets for 29 runs including that of Delport in the 17th over. That slide included two run outs.

Leg-spinner Ibtisam Sheikh (2-30), Hasan Ali (2-24), Wahab Riaz (2-20) were all effective in Peshawar’s bowling. With the two wickets Wahab have also completed 250 wickets in all Twenty20 cricket.The league has a two-day rest before the last four matches — two each on Monday and Tuesday — will be played in Abu Dhabi.

Peshawar Zalmi won toss

Islamabad United

†L Ronchi c Umar b Ibtisam 9

CS Delport c Dawson b Hasan 71

PD Salt c Fletcher b Ibtisam 28

CAK Walton b Wahab 22

Asif Ali c Wahab b Umaid 23

Nasir Nawaz run out 3

Faheem Ashraf b Hasan 9

*Shadab Khan b Wahab 0

Zafar Gohar run out 2

Mohammad Sami run out 1