Sameer Minhas blazes 36-ball 70 to steer Islamabad United in pursuit of 157.
Islamabad United clinched a convincing seven-wicket win over Rawalpindi Zalmi, powered by Sameer Minhas’ blistering half-century and disciplined bowling in the 12th match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.
Chasing a modest target of 157 runs, the three-time champions reached the total with ease, losing just three wickets and finishing with 34 balls to spare.
Leading the charge was rising opener Sameer Minhas, who smashed a rapid 70 off only 36 balls, featuring seven fours and three sixes.
Sameer Minhas’s stellar innings was supported by fellow top-order batter Mohammad Faiq, who scored 19, and the middle-order duo of Haider Ali and Mark Chapman, who remained unbeaten on 26 and 24, respectively.
For Rawalpindi Zalmi, Rishad Hossain, Jalat Khan, and Mohammad Amir each claimed a wicket.
Shadab Khanicketer”], United’s captain, made a tactical decision to field first, which paid off as Rawalpindi Zalmi managed 156/7 in their 20 overs, despite an anchoring half-century from Kamran Ghulam openers — Yasir Khan and captain Mohammad Rizwan — to Richard Gleeson within four overs, with the scoreboard reading just 15 runs.
Meanwhile, Kamran Ghulam, who came in at No. 3, took charge of Rawalpindi Zalmi’s innings, attempting a recovery with a 51-run third-wicket partnership alongside Daryl Mitchell, who scored 19 off 15 balls.
The right-handed batter continued to show resilience after Mitchell’s dismissal, reaching his third PSL half-century off 37 balls by smashing a six off United captain Shadab Khan on the final delivery of the 11th over.
However, Ghulam was unable to convert his fifty into a big score, as Faheem Ashraf dismissed him caught behind on the fourth delivery of the next over. He finished as the Pindiz’s top-scorer with 50 off 39 balls, including six fours and two sixes.
After Ghulam’s dismissal, Rawalpindi Zalmi kept losing wickets at regular intervals, ultimately posting a below-par total despite useful contributions from Abdullah Fazal (23) and Dian Forrester, who remained unbeaten on 44.
The pace trio of Salman Irshad, Richard Gleeson, and Faheem Ashraf spearheaded Islamabad United’s bowling attack with two wickets each, while experienced all-rounder Imad Wasim added one more scalp.
About the Author
