PES VS ISL ELIMINATOR

Right then, that's all from this game. Peshawar Zalmi have emerged victorious this evening and have knocked Islamabad United out of the competition. The playoffs action of the Pakistan Super League 2023 continues on Friday, 17th of March with Qualifier 2 between Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. This game will begin at 7.30 pm IST (2.00 pm GMT). As always, you can join us in advance for the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye!

Babar Azam, the skipper of Peshawar Zalmi, says that the pacers executed the plans well. Adds that they gave away runs in the first half of the innings but the bowlers came back strongly. Mentions that there was reverse swing on offer and the bowlers got it spot on. Says that they wanted to finish over 200 but there was help for the bowlers in the second half of our batting innings. Adds that they will have to bat better in the second half of our innings and ball well in the powerplay going forward.

Aamer Jamal is the Player of the Match for his match-winning spell of 2 for 36 from his four overs. He starts by thanking the almighty and adds that the discussion at the time out was to believe in themselves. Shares that fast bowling is all about attitude and was aware that his last two overs could be crucial. Feels that the game was slipping away from them but once Sohaib Maqsood and Alex Hales got out, they felt they could win the game. Reckons that it is important to bowl with a clear mind and ends by saying that Babar Azam backed him throughout.

Shadab Khan, the skipper of Islamabad United, says that they bowled poorly in the first 10 overs but came back well in the second half. Adds that the batting also went well at the start but they tapered off at the end. Credits the opposition for playing better cricket. Says he backed his decision at the toss to bowl first. Mentions that their body language was not great in the first half of the bowling innings and that cost them the game. Closes out by saying that they are glad to end in the top four but is disappointed that they didn’t play smart cricket to progress further.

Time for the presentations...

Salman Irshad is in for a quick chat. He says that he wanted to keep his basics and it helped him today. Adds that he has worked a lot on his yorkers and is glad that it is paying off. Lauds his skipper Babar Azam who said that one or two wickets will get them back into the game. Mentions that the bowling partnership between him and Aamer Jamal got them back into the game. Also says that their bowling attack is outstanding and he is pleased to be playing under Babar Azam. Closes by saying that he is looking forward to the next game.

Earlier in the game, after Shadab Khan called it right and opted to bowl first, Saim Ayub and Babar Azam got Peshawar Zalmi off to a flying start in the first five overs. Babar Azam kept going at one end with handy contributions from Mohammad Haris and Haseebullah Khan. However, after the skipper's dismissal, no other Peshawar Zalmi batter was able to carry on and that meant they failed to maximize towards the back end of the innings. It did not prove to be vital as the Peshawar Zalmi bowlers stepped up in the second half to successfully defend the total.

In their pursuit of 184, Rahmanullah Gurbaz opened the innings with Alex Hales and he struck a few lusty blows at the start. However, he could not carry on and departed in the 2nd over. Sohaib Maqsood got going straightaway and kept the scoreboard ticking. Alex Hales initially took the backseat in the partnership but once he found his feet he came to the party as well. At 128-1 after 14 overs, it looked like Islamabad United had the chase under control but the dismissal of Sohaib Maqsood triggered a collapse and they lost their way in the chase. Towards the end, Shadab Khan played a quickfire knock but it wasn't enough to get his side over the line as they fell short by 12 runs.

What a game we witnessed this evening! A stunning bowling display has helped Peshawar Zalmi deliver the knockout punch to Islamabad United. Having failed to finish well with the bat, Babar Azam needed his bowlers to start well and they did just that by getting rid of Rahmanullah Gurbaz cheaply. However, they were unable to capitalise on that early scalp and were blown away by the onslaught from Alex Hales and Sohaib Maqsood. They dismissed Maqsood in the 15th over and never looked back thereafter. They kept chipping in with wickets at regular intervals and never allowed the opposition to make a comeback into the game. Salman Irshad and Aamer Jamal broke the back of Islamabad United accounting for two wickets each while Azmatullah Omarzai finished with one wicket.

THAT'S IT! Peshawar Zalmi win by 12 runs! Peshawar Zalmi have done it and made their way through to Qualifier 2 where they will face the Lahore Qalandars. Aamer Jamal bowls this full and outside leg. Hasan Ali clears his front leg to work it away but cant get his bat down as the ball passes between the legs and through to the keeper. A thumping win for Peshawar Zalmi.

Full and on off, Shadab Khan drills it toward deep mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! BANG! Full and on the middle and leg, Shadab Khan clears his front leg and clubs it over the deep square leg fence for a maximum. Too little too late by Shadab Khan.

Full and into the slot, Shadab Khan lofts again and can only hit as far as the deep mid-wicket where the fielder runs around and keeps it to two.

Fuller delivery on the middle and off stump line, Shadab Khan stands deep in the crease and pulls it to the deep midwicket for a couple of runs.

Starts the over with a dot. Bowls it very full and outside the leg. Shadab Khan looks to work it away as it passes between the leg of Shadab Khan through to the keeper. A perfect start to the over.

Aamer Jamal will bowl the final over. Islamabad United need 24 from the last six balls.

Full and outside off, Shadab Khan drags it down to long on for one. 24 needed now off the final over.