DUBAI: Islamabad United defeated Peshawar Zalmi by seven wickets under the duckworth-lewis method in the first game of Pakistan Super League (PSL), ARY News reported on Friday.
Earlier, Islamabad United won the toss and elected to field.
After losing Muhammad Hafeez to Islamabad United pacer Muhammad Irfan on the very first ball, Zalmi’s Kamran Akmal led the charge against the defending champions by playing a blistering knock of 88 runs in 47 balls.
Malan helped Akmal by scoring 43 runs off 30 balls.
Zalmi were 150 on the loss of four wickets when Mohammad Sami removed Akmal but none of Zalmi’s players including captain Sammy and superstar Shahid Afridi could keep Islamabad United on back foot and the team could only add 40 runs collectively after Akmal’s departure.
Play was halted for several minutes due to rain and the target was revised to 173 runs from 18 overs.
The defending champions reached the target in 17.4 overs with seven wickets in hand.
Islamabad United did not make a good start to the run chase as they lost Sharjeel Khan at just 14 runs on the board as the left handed opener was trapped leg before off the bowling of Hasan Ali. He made one runs from four deliveries.
However, Brad Haddin and Dwayne Smith ensured that the side reached home as they scored 104 runs at the second partnership.
The Australian wicket-keeper batsman bludgeoned 73 runs from 39 balls with the help of eight boundaries and three sixes whereas the Caribbean opener made 55 runs off 49 deliveries with eight fours and a six to his name.
Zalmi bowlers Junaid Khan, Hasan Ali and Chris Jordan grabbed a wicket each.
Brad Haddin was named the Player of the match.
