Peshawar Zalmi successfully chased a 215-run target, winning by five wickets
A collective batting display powered Peshawar Zalmi to a five-wicket victory over Rawalpindi in the third match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.
Chasing a challenging 215-run target, Zalmi reached the total with five wickets in hand, thanks to strong contributions from Babar Azam, Mohammad Haris, Michael Bracewell, Abdul Samad, and Kusal Mendis.
The chase began on a solid note, with skipper Babar and Haris setting the pace through aggressive stroke play. The pair added 50 runs inside the first five overs, maintaining pressure on the bowlers with frequent boundaries.
Their 78-run opening partnership was eventually broken by Asif Afridi, who dismissed Babar after a fluent 39 off 28 balls, featuring four fours and a six.
Haris kept the momentum going but was later removed by Amad Butt after scoring 47 from 28 deliveries, including four fours and two sixes, leaving Zalmi at 96-2 after 10 overs.
Kusal Mendis walked in and quickly lifted the scoring rate, putting the Pindiz bowlers under pressure and taking the total past 100 alongside Aaron Hardie, who struggled to find rhythm at the other end.
The partnership, however, was short-lived as Rishad Hossain removed Hardie for just eight off 10 balls, leaving Zalmi at 128-3 in 13.3 overs.
Zalmi then suffered another setback on the first ball of the 15th over when Mendis was dismissed by Amad Butt for a brisk 31 off 17 deliveries, which included one four and two sixes.
Abdul Samad and Michael Bracewell steadied the innings with a valuable partnership, adding important runs and guiding the team past the 150-run mark.
Despite conceding boundaries, Mohammad Amir struck back by dismissing Abdul Samad, who had played a quickfire knock of 33 off 11 balls, featuring one four and four sixes.
Aamir Jamal then made an immediate impact, smashing a six off the first ball he faced from Naseem Shah, helping Zalmi cross the 200-run mark and move closer to the target.
The match was sealed on the first ball of the final over, with Aamir Jamal remaining unbeaten on 17 off just five deliveries, while Michael Bracewell contributed 35 off 17 balls, including one four and four sixes.
Amad Butt, despite being expensive, was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/45 in four overs, while Mohammad Amir, Asif Afridi, and Rishad Hossain claimed one wicket each.
Earlier, opting to bat first, Rawalpindi posted a strong total of 214-4 in their 20 overs after a blistering start. Openers Yasir Khan and captain Mohammad Rizwan laid a solid foundation, capitalising on loose deliveries and consistently finding the boundary.
The pair put together a 50-run partnership and continued their aggressive approach, aiming to post a big total in their PSL debut.
Khan led the charge with a fluent knock, bringing up his third PSL half-century, while Rizwan supported well with regular boundaries as they built a 100-run opening stand.
Their 125-run partnership was eventually broken by Ali Raza, who dismissed Rizwan for 41 off 32 balls, including five fours and a six, on the first ball of the 13th over.
Khan continued his onslaught and looked set for a maiden PSL century, but he was eventually dismissed by Ali Raza in the 15th over after scoring 83 off 46 balls, including seven fours and six sixes, leaving the team at 144-2.
In the closing overs, Kamran Ghulam and Daryl Mitchell stepped up the scoring, pushing Rawalpindi past the 150-run mark with a quick partnership.
Their 41-run stand was broken when Aaron Hardie picked up his first wicket of the tournament, dismissing Ghulam for a brisk 37 off 20 deliveries, featuring two fours and three sixes.
Aamir Jamal struck on the first ball of the final over, removing Mitchell, who made 23 off 13 balls, including two sixes.
Sam Billings then provided a late boost with an unbeaten 18 off eight balls, hitting one four and two sixes, as Jamal conceded 17 runs in the over. Abdullah Fazal added a further five runs.
Despite conceding runs, Ali Raza was the standout bowler for Zalmi with figures of 2/42 in three overs, while Hardie and Jamal took one wicket each.
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