Babar, Maaz fifties, and Ali's fiery spell lead Zalmi to victory over United

Medium pacer Mohammad Ali bowled with precision, while Babar Azam and rookie left-hander Maaz Sadaqat struck solid fifties to guide Peshawar Zalmi to a six-wicket victory over Islamabad United in a crucial HBL PSL X fixture at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Friday night.

Ali returned impressive figures of 3-26 to restrict United to 143-9 in their 20 overs.

Maaz (55) and Babar (53 not out) then stitched a match-winning 102-run partnership for the fourth wicket to chase the target in just 16.4 overs, despite losing early wickets.

With their second consecutive loss, United still top the points table with 10 points from seven matches.

Zalmi had a shaky start while chasing the modest total, losing three quick wickets. However, skipper Babar and 19-year-old Maaz held firm and anchored the innings with composure.

Maaz reached his fifty off 30 balls and smashed four fours and three sixes in his 33-ball stay. Babar, calm and steady as ever, brought up his second fifty of the season in 47 deliveries. He hit four boundaries and one six in his unbeaten 49-ball knock.

Earlier, Zalmi’s innings began poorly. Kyle Mayers dismissed Mitchell Owen (6) in the first over, with a top edge landing safely in the hands of Ben Dwarshuis at silly mid-off.

In the very next over, Dwarshuis removed the struggling Saim Ayub (1). The delivery pitched wide outside off-stump, Ayub went for a big shot, but inside-edged onto the stumps, leaving Zalmi at 12-2.

Australian pacer Riley Meredith further dented Zalmi’s top order, removing Mohammad Haris (13 off 12), who mistimed a lofted shot and was caught by Naseem Shah in the deep. Haris had struck one six and a four.

From there, Babar and Maaz took charge and calmly guided their team to the target.

Mayers, Dwarshuis, Meredith, and Naseem picked up one wicket each.

Earlier in the evening, Mohammad Ali’s disciplined spell played a key role in restricting defending champions Islamabad United to a below-par total.

Before the collapse, United openers Sahibzada Farhan (38) and Kyle Mayers (18) provided a steady start, adding 58 runs for the opening wicket. But after Farhan was dismissed by Ahmed Daniyal—caught by Babar Azam for 36 off 35 balls, including one six and four fours—the innings unraveled.

Ali then removed Mayers in the next over, caught by Alzarri Joseph, and United began to lose wickets at regular intervals.

Saim Ayub took the prized wicket of Salman Ali Agha (4), who edged a ball that moved slightly away to Mohammad Haris behind the stumps. At 67-3 in the 11th over, United’s troubles deepened.

Captain Shadab Khan (15) briefly resisted with three boundaries but was dismissed by Joseph.

Ali returned to pick up Colin Munro (11) and Saad Masood (1) in a single over, leaving United reeling at 91-6 in the 14th.

Azam Khan once again failed to fire, edging Luke Wood behind for just eight runs off seven balls.

Imad Wasim (10) was run out, and it was only Ben Dwarshuis who added late runs, smashing an unbeaten 33 off 17 balls with two sixes and three fours.

Ali received strong support from Luke Wood (1-26), Alzarri Joseph (1-29), Ahmed Daniyal (1-29), Saim Ayub (1-16), and Hussain Talat (1-14), all of whom bowled economically.

Islamabad United will face Quetta Gladiators in their next match on Saturday at the same venue.