Zalmi reach final after beating United by eight wickets

ISLAMABAD: Peshawar Zalmi on Tuesday successfully chased the 175-run target set by Islamabad United, beating them by 8 wickets to reach the final of the Pakistan Super League’s sixth edition, due to impressive batting by Hazratullah Zazai (66) and Jono Wells (55).

The Zalmi — who have reached the final for the fourth time — will now face Multan Sultans on June 24 at Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Geo News reported. Zalmi put the United to bat first, who scored 174 for the loss of nine wickets and set a 175-run target for the Wahab Riaz-led side. Hasan Ali’s start with the ball was not as effective as his batting in the first innings — where he hit 45 off 16 balls. The pacer gave away a total of 15 runs, including six extras, in the first over. However, he wrapped it up on a positive note by dismissing Kamran Akmal (8) in the last ball.

Mohammad Wasim was finally able to give a breakthrough to the United as he dismissed Zazai (66) in the 15th over, breaking the 126-run partnership between the Afghan batter and Wells (55). Shoaib Malik (32), who came to the crease after Zazai was dismissed, hit three consecutive fours in the 17th over to end the match on a high and take his team to the finals.

For Islamabad United handed, Usman Khawaja went for a duck, Colin Munro scored 44, Muhammad Akhlaq 7, Brandon King 18, Iftikhar Ahmed 10, Shadab Khan 15, Asif Ali 8, Faheem Ashraf 1, Hasan Ali 45, and Mohammad Wasim remained not out for 17 not out.

Skipper Riaz and Umaid Asif got two wickets each, while Amad Butt, Mohammad Irfan, and Mohammad Imran were able to pick up one wicket each.