2023 is seeing back to back fast paced action as far as T20 leagues are concerned. SA20 and Big Bash League just got over. There was also the first ever ILT20 which was played in the middle. The Pakistani fans have been witnessing some fine cricket and enthralling matches this year in the Pakistan Super League.
The story as it happened
The game on Thursday saw Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United take on each other at the National Stadium in Karachi. This was going to be the 3rd match for Islamabad and a chance for them to make it to the top 2 in case of a win. For Babar Azam and his side, a win would have kept them in the top half of the table as well.
Babar Azam playfully threatens Hasan Ali –
Hasan Ali is known to be a prankster in the Pakistani team. On Thursday, Hasan Ali was bowling to his national skipper Babar Azam. During the course of the game, Azam took a single and was making his way down to the non-striker’s end. Hasan Ali was on his knees, as Azam playfully picked his bat as if to hit Hasan Ali. The bowler played along and ran away much to the delight of the crowd.
— Out Of Context Cricket (@GemsOfCricket) February 23, 2023
Peshawar given good start –
Mohammad Haris and Babar Azam opened the innings after Islamabad won the toss and chose to bowl. The openers put on 76 runs which came off mere 7 overs. Haris was the aggressive off the two as he scored 40 off 21 balls with 4 fours and a six.
Hasan Ali claims 3 as Peshawar see middle order collapse –
Haris was the 1st wicket down as he fell to Shadab Khan giving him a return catch. Saim Ayub fell for 3 before Hasan Ali turned wrecker in chief. Ali had the wickets of K. Cadmore and Rovman Powell in the same over before getting Neesham out in his next.
Babar Azam fights lone battle as Peshawar reaches 156 –
Despite the fall of wickets at the other end, Babar Azam stayed on till the end to score 75*. His knock came off 58 balls with 7 fours and a six. Only Shanaka with 11 was the batter apart from Azam and Haris to reach double figures. Peshawar thanks to their skippers efforts reached 156.
Gurbaz leads Islamabad to a breath taking win –
Chasing 157 to win, Rahmatullah Gurbaz got Islamabad off to a good start. Gurbaz scored 62 off 31 balls with 7 fours and 4 sixes. Rassie Van Der Dussen chipped in with 42 off 29 balls, while Asif Ali scored 29 off 13 balls. Ali was not out as he saw Islamabad win the game in the 15th over. Shadab Khan and his men won the game by 6 wickets with 31 balls to spare.