151/10 (18.4)
CR : 8.09
221/7 (20.0)
CR : 11.05
Peshawar Zalmi won by 70 runs 🏆
Player of the Match
Babar Azam
103(59)
Energetic Batter of the Match: Mohammad Haris (35 off just 16 balls)
Maximum Boundaries of the Match: Babar Azam (12 fours and 4 sixes)
Catch of the Match: Abdul Samad (for the catch of Mohsin Riaz)
Smart Wicket of the Match: Aaron Hardie (for the wicket of Sameer Minhas)
Super Power of the Day: Sufiyan Muqeem (2/25 in his 4 overs)
Player of the Match: Babar Azam
Shadab Khan (Islamabad United Captain): "(Where did the momentum slip?) See we gave away 20-25 runs extra away. When you are chasing a high total and lose wickets, you get a lack of momentum. I think they outplayed us today and the way Babar played, he took the game away from us.
(Do you think the shot selections didn't go your way? or they bowled really well?) I think the pitch was really good. But when you are chasing a big total, you need that momentum. Our set batters were getting the boundaries. I think our set batters got dismissed in a wrong time. I think the opposition outplayed us. We will try to get the executions better in the next game, both in batting and bowling.
(In Lahore, you have to get that adaptability factor) That was here to. You need adaptability in every condition. Every venue gives you a chance to have that and when you are playing these sort of a tournament and finish in top two, you get a cushion. I think today was not our day and we got a cushion. We will try to play well in the next game."
(Do you think the shot selections didn't go your way? or they bowled really well?) I think the pitch was really good. But when you are chasing a big total, you need that momentum. Our set batters were getting the boundaries. I think our set batters got dismissed in a wrong time. I think the opposition outplayed us. We will try to get the executions better in the next game, both in batting and bowling.
(In Lahore, you have to get that adaptability factor) That was here to. You need adaptability in every condition. Every venue gives you a chance to have that and when you are playing these sort of a tournament and finish in top two, you get a cushion. I think today was not our day and we got a cushion. We will try to play well in the next game."
Babar Azam (POTM and Peshawar Zalmi Captain): (On scoring 400 runs in this season, equalling the most runs in a single edition, and hitting the most sixes in a season) "Yes, that feeling has come back. I am trying to keep things simple and trust my skills and my belief. I want to execute my game according to the situation - what the pitch is demanding, how to handle each bowler, and which bowler to attack. This was in the back of my mind from the preparation I did before the PSL. I had faith in my hard work. It is not exactly the same as before yet, but now those feelings are starting to come back. We are trying to continue this form.
(On batting with Haris and Mendis, and getting time to find rhythm) When you get a good start in the first six overs, it gives you a bit of cushion. Then you can play your normal game and try to maintain the run rate. The way Haris plays and the way he puts pressure on the opposition help a lot. Then I continue with my own game, and together we try to finish the Powerplay strongly. If the Powerplay goes at 60-plus, then we try to carry that momentum forward. Unfortunately, if Haris gets out, then Mendis comes in. He continues that momentum, or I continue it as well. Our effort is that if we score 60 or 70 in the first six overs, then we should maintain that run rate until the end.
(On the bowling performances of Sufiyan Muqeem and Aaron Hardie bringing the team back into the match) Yes, absolutely. The way Hardie and Sufiyan bowled was outstanding. In my opinion, that was the turning point of the match. I also think credit should be given to Basit for the way he bowled at the end. That was excellent as well. Overall, we bowled very well in all phases, and our fielding was also very good. It was a combined team effort, and all the credit goes to the boys for the way they executed their plans throughout the tournament.
(On focusing on the final) Now the final is here, so we will try to focus on that. We will enjoy today’s match, but as quickly as possible, we will shift our focus to the final and execute our plans there."
(On batting with Haris and Mendis, and getting time to find rhythm) When you get a good start in the first six overs, it gives you a bit of cushion. Then you can play your normal game and try to maintain the run rate. The way Haris plays and the way he puts pressure on the opposition help a lot. Then I continue with my own game, and together we try to finish the Powerplay strongly. If the Powerplay goes at 60-plus, then we try to carry that momentum forward. Unfortunately, if Haris gets out, then Mendis comes in. He continues that momentum, or I continue it as well. Our effort is that if we score 60 or 70 in the first six overs, then we should maintain that run rate until the end.
(On the bowling performances of Sufiyan Muqeem and Aaron Hardie bringing the team back into the match) Yes, absolutely. The way Hardie and Sufiyan bowled was outstanding. In my opinion, that was the turning point of the match. I also think credit should be given to Basit for the way he bowled at the end. That was excellent as well. Overall, we bowled very well in all phases, and our fielding was also very good. It was a combined team effort, and all the credit goes to the boys for the way they executed their plans throughout the tournament.
(On focusing on the final) Now the final is here, so we will try to focus on that. We will enjoy today’s match, but as quickly as possible, we will shift our focus to the final and execute our plans there."
Peshawar Zalmi will be playing their fifth PSL final. The highest for any franchise in the tournament's history. They are followed by Multan Sultans and Lahore Qalandars at four each.
Babar Azam bossed the Qualifier. Peshawar Zalmi dazzled and now, they've storm into the grand finale as the firm favourites. On the other hand, Islamabad United must be seething, for they did not just lose, but were rather on the receiving end of a thumping. However, there is no time to sulk in. They will have to pick themselves up and bounce back on Friday, when they get their second bite at the cherry.
Who will they face then? That will be decided tomorrow in Eliminator 1 where Multan Sultans take on Hyderabad Kingsmen. Ashton Turner, Steve Smith, Sahibzada Farhan, Peter Siddle, Mohammad Nawaz and the others on one side. Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Khan, Saim Ayub, Glenn Maxwell, Mohammad Ali etc. on the other. The loser goes home!
Join us for that cracker of an event. Our coverage will begin at 6:30 PM IST, 6:00 PM local time. For now, this is Darpan Tikiya signing off on the behalf of Saptak Sanyal, Dev Rajawat, Mohammad Anab and Ghanendra Singh Thakur. Keep following Crickxo for more cricketing action from around the globe. Sayonara!
Who will they face then? That will be decided tomorrow in Eliminator 1 where Multan Sultans take on Hyderabad Kingsmen. Ashton Turner, Steve Smith, Sahibzada Farhan, Peter Siddle, Mohammad Nawaz and the others on one side. Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Khan, Saim Ayub, Glenn Maxwell, Mohammad Ali etc. on the other. The loser goes home!
Join us for that cracker of an event. Our coverage will begin at 6:30 PM IST, 6:00 PM local time. For now, this is Darpan Tikiya signing off on the behalf of Saptak Sanyal, Dev Rajawat, Mohammad Anab and Ghanendra Singh Thakur. Keep following Crickxo for more cricketing action from around the globe. Sayonara!