Babar's century and Yaqoob's four-wicket over take Zalmi past United
United were on course as Azam Khan and Colin Munro hit 70s, but the penultimate over derailed the chase completely
United were on course as Azam Khan and Colin Munro hit 70s, but the penultimate over derailed the chase completely
Commentator: Rvel Zahid
Thanks for your company, it's always fun reading your comments and the discussion. We'll look forward to your company tomorrow on the last day of the Lahore-leg of the PSL 9. For now, it's goodbye and goodnight from Rvel Zahid
Babar Azam, Player of the Match: My mother came for the first time and she looks very happy. She always watches in the home but it was good luck for me that she came and I scored a hundred. This is my best hundred. Pitch was good but we suddenly lost wickets and I had to adjust my plans. I was looking for one big over because I knew Naseem (Shah) finished his overs so wanted to target other bowlers after the 14th. I think it was one of my best innings in front of this crowd. When Azam (Khan) got out, I was like let's take a chance and all credit to Aaqib -- he didn't panic and believed in himself and his bowling. Experience always gives you help; when you are under pressure, you can handle it. All the credit to management who gave him confidence. We've confidence, we were not up to the mark in first two matches but we'll now look to carry this momentum in Rawalpindi.
Phew, let me catch my breath. Lahore has developed a habit of producing one thriller after another. Let's have a glass of water and calm down after this hair-raising contest. Aarif Yaqoob hogged the limelight by picking four wickets in an over. He didn't err in his length and was calm as a monk in that tense situation and remained steadfast in his methods troubling batters with his biting leg breaks, wrong'uns, and flippers and unerringly kept it away from the hitting zones.
Earlier, Babar Azam struck the second century of the season and it was a complete knock; the acceleration at the death was refreshing to see as he was the architect behind the 201 total. In reply, Islamabad faltered early on but Colin Munro sprung back into form and played the anchor role with a 71-run knock while Azam Khan played the role of aggressor and smashed a 30-ball 75. But little did he know, Islamabad would make a meal of it after his wicket because as soon as he got out, the floodgates were opened and Arif Yaqoob ripped through the lower order, picking up a sensational fifer that put the game to bed.
Peshawar Zalmi are now at the third position with six points and Islamabad United suffered their third loss in a row, finding themselves stuck at the fifth position with only two points
taha: "Rvel, for anyone who missed the 2nd last over. was it the bowler's brilliance or the batters being more senseless that caused the chaos?" Bit of both, I'd say. Bowling was good, but they were swinging aimlessly and all hell broke loose. It was a batting collapse of gargantuan proportions
Aashique : "Zahid who is your POM mine is Arif yaqoob for sure" Yaqoob for me as well
A Khan: ""Cricket": we don't like it, we love it."
Malik Murad Ali: "What a big risk by Captain Babar for giving penultimate over to Arif Yaqoob. It paid off very well ...."
Faraz: "Feels like this PSL season has more close contests than all other previous seasons combined."
CP: "@Jvel: Your comms is poetry, I am still lost at "has more twist than a mystery novel"Forgot the match, I am enjoying comm more here "
Imad Wasim c Babar Azam b Salman Irshad 1 (8m 3b 0x4 0x6) SR: 33.33
United were on course as Azam Khan and Colin Munro hit 70s, but the penultimate over derailed the chase completely
Islamabad United were cruising in a chase of 202 and then the legspinner came in and with a bit of magic