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That brings us to the end of our coverage for this PSL game. We have several matches lined up tomorrow and it should be a big day for all the cricket fans. Do join us then but for now, this is me (Arya Sekhar Chakraborty) bidding adieu on the behalf of my fellow commentator and good mate Rajarshi Das.
Babar Azam (Peshawar Zalmi captain): I think all credit goes to boys. I told in the toss that the pitch was around 190-195 pitch. We were ahead in the game for the most part but lost our way a bit. I thought we should end on 220. In the end Powell's crucial innings got us to 196. We were lacking in the last few games. The way the bowlers bowled today with both old and the new ball was exceptional. Main thing was we took our catches which helped the morale of the bowlers as well. From outside there is a different perspective going on so the communication you get from the boundary helps you. You know how good Sammy is. He always shares his experience and keep taking knowledge from him. Pindi is our home ground and we have got so much support. Always try to put a smile on their face. Focus is to win the final.
Saim Ayub (Player of the Match): I have been practising with the ball. Getting a chance with the ball now and I am enjoying it. Batting we are getting starts but I have to go long in the innings and if I bat till the end, it will help the team massively. It's important to put impact in the powerplay and then play sensibly. T20 cricket is all about momentum, whenever you lose momentum you tend to fall behind in the game. It's always fun to bat with Babad Azam. I am lucky to bat with him and see him from so close.
It looked even stevens at the halfway stage but what transpired in the second innings was something which not many would have expected. With a massive 76 run victory, Peshawar Zalmi has occupied the top spot in the points table. It was an exceptional start from Saud Shakeel and Jason Roy. In pursuit of 197, Roy and Shakeel got their side off to a flying start as they raced off 45/0 in the first four overs.
However, it was the introduction of Mehran Mumtaz which turned the game in the favor of Zalmi. Luke Wood then removed Jason Roy in the very next over and all of a sudden, the Peshawar Zalmi gained ascendancy in the game after a poor start. Rilee Rossouw and Khawaja Nafay tried to rebuild the innings but it was the golden arm of Saim Ayub who sent both of them back to the hut.
While Rossouw got a top edge which was safely pouched by deep midwicket, Nafay found the other side of the park. It was always going to be very difficult from there on. Akeal Hosein and Omair Yousuf tried to rebuild the innings. They scored some runs but nowhere close to the asking rate. Wickets kept falling at regular intervals and they could never really come back into the game. Eventually they were bowled out for just 120 in the 18th over. Saim Ayub, Luke Wood, Khurram Shahzad and Mehran Mumtaz all chipped in with a couple of wickets.
Rilee Rossouw (Quetta Gladiators captain): Isn't it quite obvious. Our batting line up couldn't execute as well as we would have liked. We did a great job in the middle overs. I think 200 was an average score and it's just that we didn't apply ourselves with the bat. It's something that I have in the back of my mind and will discuss in the team meeting. I didn't realise it was a hat-trick. Very happy for him. You would like someone like him every day in your team. They have done a phenomenal job for us. The fast bowlers have travelled a bit. But we have to keep doing this the way we have done and hopefully, it will turn around for us.
Mehran Mumtaz, Peshawar Zalmi: When you perform well, people sit up, take notice, and expect you to perform as well in the following game. I tried to forget what happened last time and did so. By the time I came on to bowl, Shakeel had struck a couple of sixes, but I tried to vary my pace and lengths. 5 fielders were on the off side for Shakeel, so I tried to get one to spin from 5-6 meters. The ball stopped on the deck as well. The entirety of support stuff is of utmost help - Babar Azam supports the most being on the ground. My brother was here, my coach too, support from the family helps a lot as well. Gully bhai, Akram bhai, Sammy all support me a lot. Akram bhai told me to focus on this one and win it. We need to finish the league stage well and play well in the playoffs.
That's the end of the game and it's been a thoroughly convincing performance from the Peshawar Zalmi. They have won the match by 76 runs and in some style. After a flying start courtesy of Babar Azam and Saim Ayub, they lost their way a bit with Akeal Hosein taking a hat-trick. However the score of 196 proved to be way too much in the end. A dominating showing from the Peshawar Zalmi bowlers. Babar Azam and Darren Sammy will be very pleased as a captain and a coach.
17.5 Khurram Shahzad to Abrar Ahmed, HOLES OUT! THAT'S THAT! Slow, full, wide outside off stump, Abrar looked to flat-bat this one down the ground, ended up skewing this up in the air, to the right of mid off. Babar moves across, settles under the high ball, and takes the catch. Peshawar Zalmi take the honours by 74 runs tonight, and in doing so, seal a spot for themselves in the playoffs!
17.4 Khurram Shahzad to Abrar Ahmed, full toss on middle and leg, Abrar miscues this one towards the fielder at mid off looking to drive at it
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J Roy
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
