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March 6, 2024
On Tuesday night, Multan Sultans faced a narrow four-run loss in a gripping final-over finish against Peshawar Zalmi at Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi. Despite Iftikhar Ahmed’s unbeaten half-century, Peshawar Zalmi narrowly overcame the league leaders in the 21st match of HBL PSL 9.
Opting to bat first, Peshawar Zalmi set a formidable target of 204-5. Saim Ayub and Babar Azam provided a strong foundation with an 84-run opening stand.
They took advantage of Mohammad Ali’s third over, scoring 21 runs thanks to three boundaries and a six. During the subsequent overs, Babar Azam struck two fours each off Iftikhar Ahmed and Khushdil Shah, while Saim Ayub added a boundary against Khushdil and Chris Jordan. This strong performance allowed Zalmi to finish the powerplay at 71-0, the highest powerplay total of HBL PSL 9.
Usama Mir was introduced in the seventh over and faced immediate pressure as Saim hit two consecutive sixes. However, Usama avenged the final ball of the over by trapping Saim (46 off 22 balls, with three fours and five sixes) leg-before wicket.
Om Kohler-Cadmore (5 off nine balls) remained at the crease for two uneventful overs before being dismissed by Tayyab Tahir at deep midwicket, handing Usama his second wicket of the innings.
Haseebullah then joined Babar Azam to form a solid 51-run partnership for the third wicket, with at least one boundary being struck every over during their stand. Babar reached his 85th T20 half-century in the 14th over, off just 35 deliveries.
In the following over, Usama cleverly dismissed Babar, who departed after a commendable innings of 64 off 40 balls, featuring seven fours and two sixes.
Jordan struck in the 17th over, removing Haseebullah (31 off 20 balls, with three fours and 1 six) on just the third delivery, which saw Zalmi lose their fourth wicket with 166 runs on the board.
Rovman Powell (23 not out from 15 balls, including 1 four and two sixes) and Aamir Jamal (12 from 5 balls, with 1 four and 1 six) contributed valuable unbeaten runs, guiding Zalmi past the 200-run mark in the final over.
Usama Mir claimed three wickets, while Jordan took two. Saim Ayub started the bowling for Zalmi, conceding a boundary and a six to Mohammad Rizwan.
Mehran Mumtaz claimed his first HBL PSL wicket by breaking the 35-run opening stand, dismissing Reeza Hendricks for five runs off ten balls in the fifth over. Naveen-ul-Haq then bowled a quiet sixth over, leaving Multan Sultans at 40-1 at the end of the powerplay.
In the eighth over, Jamal fielded a ball at mid-on and targeted the non-striker’s end to run out Rizwan (32 off 24 balls, with two fours and 1 six). Salman Irshad’s missed chance at short third meant Mehran missed out on a second wicket; Mehran concluded his four-over spell with one wicket for 20 runs. Tayyab struck two fours off Salman in the following over, adding to the pressure.
In the 12th over, Aamir further disrupted the Sultans by taking two wickets. Dawid Malan (19 off 19 balls, with 1 four) was dismissed by a stunning catch from Asif at deep backward square, while Saim removed Tayyab (26 off 18 balls, with four fours) at deep square.
In the 16th over, Khushdil (11 off ten balls, including 1 four) was dismissed caught behind off Naveen’s bowling, bringing Jordan to the crease. The sixth-wicket stand between Jordan and Iftikhar accumulated an unbeaten 75 runs from just 28 balls, bringing Multan Sultans within striking distance of the target.
Iftikhar, who reached his half-century in the penultimate over, ended with an unbeaten 60 off 27 balls, including four boundaries and five sixes. Jordan contributed a not-out 20 off 12 balls, featuring three fours and two sixes.
Mehran and Naveen each took one wicket, while Aamir claimed two dismissals.
Peshawar Zalmi secured a narrow four-run victory over Multan Sultans.
Player of the Match: Babar Azam (Peshawar Zalmi)
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Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Top Cricket News, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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