In an exhilarating final-ball showdown on Friday (February 23), Peshawar Zalmi edged out Multan Sultans by a narrow margin of five runs, marking their inaugural victory of the season while halting Multan’s win streak at three. Peshawar’s collective effort with the bat propelled them to a competitive score of 179.
Despite facing a formidable challenge from Multan, who were bolstered by Dawid Malan’s rapid 52 off 25 balls, Peshawar’s bowlers managed to maintain their composure. Iftikhar Ahmed looked set to be the hero once again for Multan, but his dismissal for a six off the penultimate delivery sealed the fate of the game, dashing Multan Sultans’ hopes.
Peshawar Zalmi’s Dominant Batting Display Sets the Stage for Victory
Opting to bat first, Babar Azam‘s decision was a bold move against Multan’s formidable bowling lineup. Peshawar Zalmi, however, justified their captain’s faith with a collective batting effort that saw them amassing a competitive total of 179/8 in their allotted 20 overs. Despite none of the Zalmi batsmen reaching the half-century mark, Haseebullah Khan’s explosive 37 off 18 balls stood out as the top score, propelling his team to a respectable total.
Haseebullah Khan’s Explosive Knock Powers Peshawar Zalmi to a challenging total
Contributions from the middle order, including Paul Walter and Rovman Powell, ensured that the momentum was maintained, while Luke Wood’s crucial hits in the final over, edged the team closer to the 180-run landmark. The pitch at Multan, displaying better playability than in previous matches, did little to deter the Sultans’ bowlers who managed to pick up wickets at regular intervals. Mohammad Ali and David Willey were particularly effective, keeping the Peshawar batsmen in check with two wickets apiece.
Dawid Malan’s Blistering Fifty in Vain as Multan Sultans Succumb to Pressure
The chase by Multan Sultans began with an unexpected setback as their captain, Mohammad Rizwan, departed for a duck, a rare misfire for the usually reliable wicketkeeper-batsman. Despite this early jolt, Reeza Hendricks and Yasir Khan steadied the ship, with Hendricks playing a pivotal anchor role. The game saw a dramatic shift with Dawid Malan’s entry, who unleashed a blistering 52 off 25 balls, significantly denting Peshawar’s hopes of defending their total.
As Multan seemed poised for another win, needing 58 runs off 34 balls with eight wickets in hand, the match took a series of dramatic turns. Paul Walter, making his season debut, managed to dismiss the dangerous Malan with a clever slower delivery. This wicket triggered a domino effect, with Multan subsequently losing key batsmen, including Hendricks, to Salman Irshad’s lethal yorker.
Nerve-Wracking Final Over Sees Peshawar Zalmi Clinch Thrilling Win
Despite the setbacks, Multan’s lower order, particularly Usama Mir and Abbas Afridi, kept the game within reach with timely boundaries. However, Luke Wood’s penultimate over, which conceded only two runs, swung the momentum decisively in Peshawar’s favor, leaving Multan with a daunting 22 runs required off the final over.
Naveen-ul-Haq, tasked with defending the total in the last over, experienced a rollercoaster of emotions. An initial good delivery was quickly overshadowed by a costly misfield leading to four runs, followed by a four and a six from Iftikhar Ahmed. Amidst the mounting pressure and wides, the equation boiled down to six needed off the last two balls. In a moment brimming with tension, Iftikhar’s attempt at heroics ended in despair as he could only edge the ball to the keeper, sealing Multan’s fate and securing a thrilling win for Peshawar Zalmi.
Arif Yaqoob, with his exceptional bowling figures of 3-43, and Luke Wood, who not only contributed with the bat but also took 2 wickets for 13 runs, were instrumental in Zalmi’s victory. This victory at the Multan Cricket Stadium not only marked Peshawar Zalmi’s first win of the season but also put a halt to the Multan Sultans’ impressive three-match winning streak.
Also Read: https://goworldwide.co.in/shaheen-shah-afridi-backs-teammate-haris-rauf/