Babar Azam's ton helps Peshawar Zalmi beat Islamabad United in high-scoring PSL thriller

LAHORE – Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam brought Islamabad United down with a sensational century as Peshawar Zalmi clinched another victory by 8 runs in Pakistan Super League match on Monday.

This is Peshawar Zalmi’s third straight win in Pakistan Super League season 9. The Yellow Storm opted to bat first, and their opening pair, Saim Ayub and GOAT Babar Azam, once again got off to a strong start, putting together a 73-run partnership.

Ayub played fine but was dismissed by Salman Ali Agha in the 8th over after scoring 38. The crucial wicket shifted the momentum in favor of Shadab Khan led Islamabad United, and skipper got two more quick wickets in the following over, removing Mohammad Haris and Haseebullah.

Zalmi then took a more cautious approach, and despite facing early blows, skipper Babar Azam took charge and launched a fierce salvo at red hot United. He slammed four boundaries and a six in one four, reaching his century with a boundary off Tymall Mills in the final over.

Asif Ali chipped in with a quick 17 off nine balls. Shadab Khan was the most successful bowler for United, taking 2/28, while Naseem Shah and Salman Ali Agha took one wicket each.

United started on murky note, losing Jordan Cox (13) in the fifth over with only 32 runs on the scoreboard. Subsequently, the team lost two more wickets quickly, with Shadab Khan (6) and Salman Ali Agha (14) departing cheaply.

Powerhouse Azam Khan then joined Munro in the middle of crisis at 73/3 in 9.3 overs and completely changed the game with an exceptional performance. Khan dominated the 108-run partnership with Munro, scoring 75 off just 30 deliveries, including six boundaries and as many sixes.

His brilliant innings ended on the final delivery of the 18th over when he mistimed a shot off Naveen-ul-Haq.

After Azam’s departure, Munro fell on the next delivery, leading to a collapse in the lower order. Munro scored 71 runs in 53 balls, hitting seven boundaries and a six.

Spinner Arif Yaqoob took three more wickets in the penultimate over, finishing with remarkable figures of 5/27 – marking the first five-wicket haul of PSL 9. Salman Irshad, Naveen, Luke Wood, and Saim Ayub each took one wicket.

Islamabad United on Monday won the toss and invited Peshawar Zalmi to bat in the 13th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 at Gaddafi Stadium.

After two wins on the trot, Babar Azam-led Yellow Storm will be looking to clinch a victory over former two-time PSL champions Islamabad United.

After an unexpected start in the marque tournament, Peshawar Zalmi outclassed Multan Sultans by 5 runs in a thrilling contest. The team however won again on Sunday night, stunning Lahore Qalandars in a thriller.

PSL 9 Squads

PESHAWAR ZALMI: Saim Ayub, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Haris, Haseebullah Khan, Rovman Powell, Asif Ali, Paul Walter, Luke Wood, Naveen-ul-Haq, Arif Yaqoob, Salman Irshad

ISLAMABAD UNITED: Haider Ali, Colin Munro, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan (c), Jordan Cox, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Hunain Shah, Tymal Mills.

This is a developing story, and will be updated later…