Luke Wood (unbeaten 17 and 2-13) showed his all-round ability to power Peshawar Zalmi to a five-run victory against Multan Sultans in a nerve-wracking ninth match of the ninth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at Multan Cricket Stadium on Friday.
MULTAN SULTANS' INNINGS
Chasing a target of 179–8, the Sultans were bundled out for 174 in the final delivery when Naveenul Haq bundled out Shahnawaz Dahani (0 off 1). Earlier, facing an early hiccup, the Sultans lost skipper Rizwan for 0 off 3 deliveries, when Wood befuddled the former.
Yasir Khan was looking good for his ball 37-ball 43, lacing with six boundaries before he was removed by Salman Irshad.
Reeza Hendricks stitched two decent partnerships, one with Yasir Khan and the other with Dawid Malan. Hendricks racked up a 45-run partnership off 35 deliveries, along with Yasir Khan.
Subsequently, Hendricks stitched a 70-run partnership of 37 balls with Dawid Malan.
Irshad bagged another wicket, when he flummoxed Reeza Hendricks after the latter had amassed a 27-ball 28, creaming two boundaries.
Khushdil Shah’s rough patch continued as he made his way back to the pavilion, scoring 5-ball-5 when Arif Yaqoob removed the former.
David Willey got the first ball duck, courtesy of Yaqoob. Abbas Afridi creamed two boundaries, before he was perplexed by Wood on 6-ball 11.
Iftikhar Ahmed was looking to treat Zalmi’s bowlers with utter contempt in a bid to pave the way for his team’s victory, but he was removed by Naveenul Haq.
With the departure of Iftikhar, the Zalmi had dashed hope for the victory of the home team. But the visitors confirmed their victory, when Naveen castled Dahani.
For the Zalmi, Arif Yaqoob (3-43) bagged three wickets.
Luke Wood (2-13), Salman Irshad (2-39), and Naveen ul Haq (2-44) bagged two wickets apiece.
Paul Walter (1-35) took a scalp.
PESHAWAR ZALMI'S INNINGS
Earlier, after opting to bat, Babar Azam-inspired Zalmi lost Saim Ayub, who once again could not convince the fans with his batting form and could only score 11-ball-7, studding with the only boundary.
The visitors propelled to 179-8 in 20 overs against the Sultans.
But Babar stitched a 28-ball 46 along with Haseebullah Khan, but the partnership was broken by Usama Mir, when he befuddled Babar (31 off 26).
Haseebullah looked good for his 18-ball 37, clobbering four boundaries and two towering sixes, before he was castled by Usama Mir.
Mohammad Haris could only plunder run-a-ball 19, whacking one boundary, before Mohammad Ali removed the former.
Rovman Powell showed some power-hitting abilities, smashing an 11-ball 23, clobbering three boundaries and one six.
Paul Walter whacked two boundaries and one six, before he was removed by David Willey on 8-ball 16.
Asif Ali was trapped by Mohammad Ali on 10-ball 13, creaming two boundaries.
Luke Wood remained unconquered 12-ball 17, lacing with one boundary and one maximum.
Naveenul Haq was caught and balled by Abbas Afridi, whacking one boundary.
Arif Yaqoob remained unbeaten on 1-ball 1.
