All-rounder Liam Dawson with his unbeaten half-century and last-ball four helped defeat Islamabad United with four wickets in the Friday’s match at the Dubai International Stadium.
The match played between the two top-rated franchises over the first place went till the last ball where Dawson’s heroic boundary sealed Zalmi’s victory.
Spinners Shadab Khan and Zafar Gauhar outshined Zalmi’s top-order with their two wickets respectively. The game appeared to be falling completely in the favour of Sami-led team with Pollard’s departure on just one run.
But later death over hitting by Dawson (52) and skipper Darren Sammy (40) led the team to chase 177 runs.
Peshawar Zalmi’s fast bowler Hasan Ali and spinner Ibtisam Shiekh picked two wickets as Islamabad United managed to score 176 runs.
Spinner Ibtisam Shiekh ensured Peshawar Zalmi’s dominance in the first powerplay in the high-intensity match against Islamabad United.
The leg break bowler took timely wickets of opener Luke Ronchi and Philip Salt.
But the half-century by Cameron Delport diluted the pressure established by Shiekh with his two wickets with his masterclass half-century knock.
United’s middle-order failed to carry the momentum built by Delport with his 71 run innings as Zalmi’s pacers gained ground.
Wahab Riaz, Ibtisam Shiekh and Hasan Ali picked two wickets each, while Umaid Asif managed to bag one.
The last time these two teams met in the tournament, United defeated the Darren Sammy-led side by 12 runs.
