DUBAI: Opener Sharjeel Khan scored a blistering 58 off 31 deliveries with nine fours and three sixes to power Islamabad United to 79-0 in 10 overs against Peshawar Zalmi at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium onSunday.
Zalmi won the toss and decided to field first.
Starting with two consecutive defeats and having been written off from the onset of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), United have all of a sudden found themselves playing the eliminator.
A win over Zalmi in this match will send United to final on Tuesday.
On the other hand, Zalmi have been consistently on top of their game throughout the tournament having won six of their eight matches during the group stage before losing out to finalist Quetta Gladiators in a nail-biting 1st Qualifying Final.
United though must be feeling confident after beating Karachi Kings comfortably on February 20.
Pacer Mohammad Sami displayed glimpses of the past, taking five wickets against the Kings, and Andre Russell add loads of experience to United’s strong bowling line-up.
With the bat, United will be relying on the seasoned Misbah-ul-Haq. The Pakistan Test skipper will also be looking to use his leadership expertise to have a go at the 2016 PSL trophy.
For Zalmi, slow-left-arm bowler Mohammad Asghar, who started his PSL campaign for with a bang, will be an important factor as the Dubai wicket has supported his kind of spin during the tournament.
Teams
Islamabad United: Sharjeel Khan, Dwayne Smith, Khalid Latif, Asif Ali, Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Brad Haddin (wicketkeeper), Andre Russell, Imran Khalid, Samuel Badree, Mohammad Irfan and Mohammad Sami.
Peshawar Zalmi: Mohammad Hafeez, Kamran Akmal (wicketkeeper), Brad Hodge, Shahid Yousuf, Dawid Malan, Shahid Afridi (captain), Darren Sammy, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Asghar, Shaun Tait and Hasan Ali.
