Babar Azam score fastest 11th centuries in T20 | © PSL (PCB)
In a super exciting cricket match, Peshawar Zalmi victory over Islamabad United by just eight runs in the 13th game of PSL 9. The real stars of the match were Babar Azam, who scored a fantastic century, and Arif Yaqoob, whose magical bowling turned the game around. Babar’s amazing batting and Yaqoob’s outstanding four-wicket over made the match a thrilling experience for cricket fans. Let’s dive into the details of how this action-packed game unfolded!
Peshawar Zalmi’s innings belonged to one man, the phenomenal Babar Azam. From the very first ball, Babar Azam displayed mastery over the bowlers, stitching together boundaries with elegance and dispatch. He reached his fifty in just 39 deliveries, and the next 20 balls witnessed the birth of his fastest T20 century. 111 runs flowed effortlessly from his bat, decorated with 14 fours and 2 sixes, leaving the United bowlers spellbound. With a strong foundation laid by their skipper, Zalmi posted a formidable total of 201 runs on the board.
Chasing a mammoth target, Islamabad United got off to a decent start. Azam Khan and Colin Munro’s magnificent century partnership raised hopes for a united triumph. Azam Khan played a delightful knock of 75 runs, while Munro unleashed his power with a well-compiled 71. The partnership had United cruising towards victory, but the tide began to turn in the 18th over.
Enter Arif Yaqoob, the Zalmi leg-spinner, who single-handedly changed the course of the match. Bowling the penultimate over, Yaqoob weaved his magic, claiming four crucial wickets, including Munro’s prized scalp. The dismissal of Munro, who was looking dangerous, proved to be a massive blow to United’s chase. Yaqoob wasn’t done yet; he went on to dismiss Haider Ali, Faheem Ashraf, and Hunain Shah in quick succession, leaving United reeling at 183 for 8.
With just 19 runs needed from the final over, a glimmer of hope remained for United. However, they could only manage 10 runs, falling short of the target by a narrow margin of 8 runs. Yaqoob’s sensational bowling, with his five-wicket haul, including a four-wicket maiden, proved to be the difference-maker.
This match was a true testament to the captivating nature of T20 cricket. Babar’s batting masterclass left everyone in awe, while Yaqoob’s bowling spell was nothing short of extraordinary. The fightback from United, courtesy of the Khan-Munro partnership, kept everyone on the edge of their seats, but ultimately, Zalmi held their nerve to secure a thrilling victory.
This match served as a reminder that in the game of cricket, even the finest batting displays can be undone by exceptional bowling performances. It was a night of big hitting, spectacular deliveries, and a last-over finish that will surely be remembered for a long time!
