LAHORE: A solid opening partnership by in-form Babar Azam and Saim Ayub, including a terrific hundred by Babar, drove Peshawar Zalmi to a huge total of 201 for 5 against Islamabad United in the 13th contest of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9th edition at Qadhafi Stadium Lahore on Monday.
Although Islamabad United bounced back and managed to get rid of the middle order soon after Saim, Babar Azam tried his best to control one end and pushed the scoreboard ahead.
Earlier winning the toss, Islamabad United invited Zalmi to bat first. Both the openers, Babar and Saim Ayub, were in good touch and imitated a fine start for the side. Both provided 77 runs partnership for the side in just 7.2 overs before Saim Ayub was dismissed by Agha Salman; Saim scored 38 runs while facing just 21 balls. His innings included three boundaries and two sixes.
After the dismissal of Saim Ayub, the pacers and spinners of Islamabad United bounced back in the game and took some quick wickets. The skipper of United, Shadab Khan, took 2 quick wickets to dismiss Muhammad Haris for 2 and Haseebullah for a duck.
After Haseebullah, number five batter Paul Walter managed to stay on the crease for a while; however, he was also removed by Shadab Khan to a beautiful throw on 19. Walter was followed by Rovman Powel, who was dismissed by Naseem Shah on 8.
At the stage, Peshawar Zalmi was 114 for 4 in 13.1 overs. Despite losing wickets from one end, the skipper Babar Azam remained solid on the crease, who also completed his brilliant half-century, and then moved ahead to add further crucial runs for the team.
Powel was replaced by Asif Ali. However, it was Babar Azam who dominated Islamabad United till the end. Meanwhile, he smashed his terrific hundred on just 59 balls, including 12 fours and 2 sixes. Babar stayed on the crease till the last ball and remained unbeaten on 111. Asif Ali was not out on 17. Peshawar Zalmi scored 201 in 20 overs to place a tough target for United.
From Islamabad United, Shadab Khan was the leading wicket taker, 2 for 28, while Naseem Shah and Agha Salman took one wicket each.
Peshawar Zalmi Team
Saim Ayub, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Haris (wk), Haseebullah Khan, Rovman Powell, Asif Ali, Paul Walter, Luke Wood, Naveen-ul-Haq, Arif Yaqoob, Salman Irshad
Islamabad United Team
Haider Ali, Colin Munro, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan (c), Azam Khan (wk), Jordan Cox, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Hunain Shah, Tymal Mills
