146/6 (20.0)
CR : 7.30
145/10 (18.2)
CR : 7.91
Peshawar Zalmi won by 4 wickets 🏆
Player of the Match
Iftikhar Ahmed
4/2115(10)*
Time for the post-match presentations.
Moment of the Match: Iftikhar Ahmed (For taking 3 wickets in his second over)
Energetic Batter of the Match: Kusal Perera (58 off 31)
Super Power of the Match: Sufiyan Muqeem
Catch of the Match: Aamir Jamal
Player of the Match: Iftikhar Ahmed (4/21 and 15 off 10 balls)
Iftikhar Ahmed (Player of the Match): "(What were the plans in the second over of yours?) See we planned in the meeting that me and Bracewell will bowl with the new ball. I was mentally prepared and played accordingly to the plan we made against them.
(What was the plan to bowl in this slightly slower surface?) This is an international league and you need to bowl in a matured way. The idea was to bowl with the variations. Slow sometimes, quick sometimes and that gave me the success.
(On the maximum in the last over) I have been doing it for the last 15 years or so. I know what to do. I had the belief and knew that I had to hit a couple of boundaries to finish the game. If you are a finisher, this is your role. If you can play in your role then you can play for Pakistan, can play in other leagues too. So I think it is all about playing in your role."
(What was the plan to bowl in this slightly slower surface?) This is an international league and you need to bowl in a matured way. The idea was to bowl with the variations. Slow sometimes, quick sometimes and that gave me the success.
(On the maximum in the last over) I have been doing it for the last 15 years or so. I know what to do. I had the belief and knew that I had to hit a couple of boundaries to finish the game. If you are a finisher, this is your role. If you can play in your role then you can play for Pakistan, can play in other leagues too. So I think it is all about playing in your role."
Marnus Labuschagne (Hyderabad Kingsmen Captain): (On the narrow loss and team effort) “It’s a tough one to take. We got so close that it felt like the game was within reach if one shot had gone our way in the final over. The total was probably below par, but the fight till the end was commendable.
(On his captaincy and on-field decisions) It wasn’t just me out there. We tried to use our time well, communicate constantly, set the right fields, and focus on doing the small things right.
(On the bowling effort at the death) A lot of credit goes to our fast bowlers. They did a brilliant job in the last few overs to bring the game back in our favor. Defending 15 in the last over after that effort was an incredible position to be in.
(On what the team is lacking despite potential) We haven’t yet put together a complete performance. In one game, the batting clicked, in another the bowling was excellent, but we haven’t combined all aspects in a single match yet.
(On positives from the game) Kusal Perera played a fantastic innings to bring us back into the game, and the bowling unit showed great character to nearly pull off a win.”
(On his captaincy and on-field decisions) It wasn’t just me out there. We tried to use our time well, communicate constantly, set the right fields, and focus on doing the small things right.
(On the bowling effort at the death) A lot of credit goes to our fast bowlers. They did a brilliant job in the last few overs to bring the game back in our favor. Defending 15 in the last over after that effort was an incredible position to be in.
(On what the team is lacking despite potential) We haven’t yet put together a complete performance. In one game, the batting clicked, in another the bowling was excellent, but we haven’t combined all aspects in a single match yet.
(On positives from the game) Kusal Perera played a fantastic innings to bring us back into the game, and the bowling unit showed great character to nearly pull off a win.”
Babar Azam (Peshawar Zalmi Captain): "(On the late drama in the chase) I didn't expect so much drama, but it happened.
(Deliberate to bowl off-spinners in the powerplay?) The plan was to bowl both our offies against their left handers. In Karachi the pitch plays differently. It was a little slow today and it turned. I think Iftikhar bowled really well and he brought us good results.
(On Iftikhar finishing the game with the bat) I think the way Iftikhar finished was great. However, the reality is that we should have finished long back. I think I got out at the wrong time. Because that gave them a chance to get back in the game. Credit goes to their bowlers as well. They stitched many dot balls. Though happy that Iftikhar eventually did the job for us.
(Some comfort after winning a game that was so close) I don't know about comfort, but this win was needed to give us confidence as we have many matches lined up in the next week. We will try to learn from the mistakes we made and make sure we don't repeat them."
(Deliberate to bowl off-spinners in the powerplay?) The plan was to bowl both our offies against their left handers. In Karachi the pitch plays differently. It was a little slow today and it turned. I think Iftikhar bowled really well and he brought us good results.
(On Iftikhar finishing the game with the bat) I think the way Iftikhar finished was great. However, the reality is that we should have finished long back. I think I got out at the wrong time. Because that gave them a chance to get back in the game. Credit goes to their bowlers as well. They stitched many dot balls. Though happy that Iftikhar eventually did the job for us.
(Some comfort after winning a game that was so close) I don't know about comfort, but this win was needed to give us confidence as we have many matches lined up in the next week. We will try to learn from the mistakes we made and make sure we don't repeat them."
So what’s the final takeaway? Zalmi win. But Kingsmen won hearts. A chase that should’ve been easy… became a thriller. A defence that looked weak… almost became legendary. Final-over finish. Emotions high. Hunain on the ground. Iftikhar with a smile. Cricket… unpredictable. Beautiful. Brutal.
We have a doubleheader in PSL 2026 on Thursday, 9th April, so tune in an hour ago for the pre-match insights.
Until then, I am Dev Rajawat, signing off, along with my co-commentators, Manan Mehta, Saptak Sanyal, and scorer Zeeshan Naiyer. Also, a special thanks to our statisticians/analysts, Mohammad Anab and Aman. That’s it from our side. Thanks for joining. But cricket doesn’t sleep. Plenty is happening around the world. Switch tabs, follow the fun. Goodbye from this tab! TAKE CARE! BREATHE AND SMILE! CIAO!!!!
We have a doubleheader in PSL 2026 on Thursday, 9th April, so tune in an hour ago for the pre-match insights.
Until then, I am Dev Rajawat, signing off, along with my co-commentators, Manan Mehta, Saptak Sanyal, and scorer Zeeshan Naiyer. Also, a special thanks to our statisticians/analysts, Mohammad Anab and Aman. That’s it from our side. Thanks for joining. But cricket doesn’t sleep. Plenty is happening around the world. Switch tabs, follow the fun. Goodbye from this tab! TAKE CARE! BREATHE AND SMILE! CIAO!!!!