The Multan Cricket Ground witnessed a pulsating clash in PSL 9, as the underdog Peshawar Zalmi pulled off a sensational five-run victory over the mighty Multan Sultans, who were previously undefeated. Packed with drama, twists, and a last-ball finish, this match will be etched in the memories of cricket fans!
Chasing 180 runs, the Sultans were dealt a harsh blow in the second over itself, losing their talismanic captain Mohammad Rizwan for a duck. Yasir Khan tried to anchor the innings with a steady 43, but his dismissal left a big void. Just when the chase seemed to be slipping away, Dawid Malan, batting at an unfamiliar number 4, exploded onto the scene. His 52-run came off just 25 balls, laced with six boundaries, rekindled the Sultans’ hopes. But his dismissal triggered a mini-collapse, with wickets falling at regular intervals.
Usama Mir, known for his power-hitting, briefly reignited the chase with two consecutive sixes off Arif Yaqoob. But his joy was short-lived, as he perished on the third ball, attempting another big shot. The onus then fell on the experienced Iftikhar Ahmed, who played a mature innings, keeping the Sultans in the hunt. With six runs required off the last two balls, hope flickered brightly. But in a cruel twist of fate, Naveen-ul-Haq, bowling the final over, produced a brilliant delivery that sent Iftikhar back to the pavilion, leaving the Sultans heartbroken and their unbeaten streak shattered.
Earlier, Zalmi’s batting started wobbly, with their young star Saim Ayub departing early. However, another youngster, Haseebullah Khan, stepped up with a belligerent 37, peppering the boundaries with his fearless strokeplay. Babar Azam, the Zalmi captain, fell prey to Usama Mir’s wily spin, but Paul Walter’s quickfire 16 kept the scoreboard ticking. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Zalmi managed to post a competitive total of 179, thanks to contributions from Rovman Powell and Luke Wood.
A Match for the Ages: Watch Highlights
This match was a true rollercoaster ride, with both teams having their moments of brilliance and despair. The Sultans, despite being the favorites, were undone by their inconsistency and a lack of partnerships. Zalmi, on the other hand, showed great fighting spirit, especially in their bowling and fielding, to defend a modest total. The last-ball finish was the perfect culmination of a match that had everyone on the edge of their seats.
This victory not only ended the Sultans’ unbeaten run but also served as a major confidence booster for the Zalmi, who are now back in contention for the playoffs. The PSL 9 promises to be an exciting season, with more such thrilling encounters on the horizon!
