publish time

06/03/2024

author name Arab Times

publish time

06/03/2024

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan, March 6, (AP): Iftikhar Ahmed’s blistering 60 off 27 balls went in vain as Peshawar Zalmi snatched a four-run victory over table-topper Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League.
Peshawar is the only franchise in Pakistan’s premier domestic T20 tournament that has beaten Multan twice this season.

Multan has already qualified for the playoffs with six wins from eight games and Peshawar moved closer to a place in the final four with nine points and two games in hand.
Peshawar required 58 off the last three overs when Ahmed and Chris Jordan (30 not out) countercharged against seamers Aamer Jamal, Naveen-ul-Haq, and Salman Irshad before falling short at 200-5.

Earlier, captain Babar Azam continued his sublime form after winning the toss and smashed 64 off 40 balls. Left-handed batter Saim Ayub made 46 off 22 balls in Peshawar’s strong total of 204-5 as both batters put on season’s highest total of 71 runs in the power play.

Babar and Ayub smacked Multan’s pace and spin as they raised a rapid 84-run stand at 12-an-over.
Ayub was ruthless against pace with his trademark big shots on the on side as he hit five sixes and three fours before he was trapped leg before wicket by tournament’s top wicket-taker Usama Mir (3-32) in his first over.