On Sunday, Peshawar Zalmi defeated Islamabad United by a score of 13 runs, ensuring that the two clubs will face off in the first elimination round of the current season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The outcome also guarantees that Multan Sultans and Lahore Qalandars will play in the tournament’s qualifier. Eliminator 1 will take place on March 16 while the Qualifier, the winner of which will advance directly to the final, will be played on March 15.
Playoffs lineup for PSL8
On March 17, the victor of Eliminator 1 and the loser of the Qualifier will compete against each other to advance to the final. Islamabad United was all out for 166 in 19.4 overs while attempting to reach a goal of 180 runs. Islamabad United’s run-chase continued without impetus as a result of losing wickets often. Faheem Ashraf, though, gave his team a little chance with blistering innings of 38 runs in 13 balls.
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But, Khurram Shahzad produced two flawless yorkers in the game’s penultimate over to take the remaining wickets just when it looked like Islamabad United would easily win. At the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi, Islamabad United was given a target of 180 runs after choosing to bat first against Peshawar Zalmi after winning the toss. Mohammad Haris led the Zalmi batting as they scored 179-8 in their allocated 20 overs.
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With the aid of seven fours and five sixes, the opener plundered 79 runs in 39 balls. In 25 balls, Bhanuka Rajapaksa scored 41 runs, including four fours and two sixes. After their departure, the Zalmi innings waned as a result of the continual loss of wickets, despite Haris and Rajapaksa adding 115 runs in 58 balls for the second wicket. Hasan Ali, a pacer, took three wickets while Shadab Khan, Islamabad’s skipper, took two.
Due to Babar Azam’s illness, Tom Kohler-Cadmore captained Peshawar Zalmi in today’s game. In the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, the second game of the day will take place between Qalandars and Karachi Kings.
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