Right then! That's all from this Eliminator! Peshawar have set up a date with Multan for the coveted trophy. Islamabad will be thoroughly disappointed as they were top of the table at the end of the League stage. The Final will be played on Thursday, 24th June 2021 at 2000 local (1600 GMT). Do join us for the same. Cheers and take care!
Wahab Riaz, the Peshawar skipper, says that he thanks God, fans, sponsors and all the families for supporting them. Adds that it is a great feeling to reach the Final. Goes onto say that what happened in the last match happened and they needed to adapt. Goes onto say that he was saving himself for the later overs and credits all the bowlers for doing a good job. Tells that it was a good batting performance. States that there is no fear about the Final and the pressure is on Multan. States that he is a demanding captain but the players deserve a day off.
Hazratullah Zazai is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH, he says that he wants to thank God for his performance. Adds that it was very important for him to perform in a pressure situation. Adds that the wicket was a little difficult to bat on so he decided to take his time and then tee off at the right time.
Shadab Khan, the Islamabad United skipper, says that they didn't have momentum in the last couple of days. Adds that they didn't handle pressure as well as some of the other teams did. About Zazai, Shadab says that if they had held on to his catch, then the game might have been different but such is the game of cricket. Says that they performed well in this season but failed to do so in pressure situations. Finishes by saying to their fans that they will come back stronger next year.
What went wrong with Islamabad United? They were the table-toppers after the end of the League stage but they have come down heavily in the Playoffs. They have crashed out of the tournament in the most unexpected way. Coming to this game and innings, they were off to a rocky start in the first over as Hasan Ali conceded 15 runs but picked up a wicket. They kept it tight and their plan to bowl it outside off was working well before it all went awry after the 10th over. They were taken to the cleaners and they were brutally hammered by Hazaratullah Zazai, Jonathan Wells and Shoaib Malik. Overall, it was a poor bowling performance. Stay tuned for the Presentation ceremony!
What a win for Peshawar Zalmi! They have chased down 175 with relative ease and that is a message to Multan Sultans that Peshawar Zalmi is a force to be reckoned with. They have absolutely hammered the bowlers out of the park and this is a dominating victory. Peshawar started off well, taking 15 in the first over before losing Kamran Akmal. Hazratullah Zazai and Jonathan Wells had other plans as they started slowly, built their innings. Zazai struggled for a bit but once they settled in, they went bonkers and took them close to victory. Zazai fell after a fine knock but Shoaib Malik came out with a mission. He got going from ball one and hit 32 in just 10 balls to take Peshawar home with 19 balls to spare.
PESHAWAR ZALMI
177/2 (16.5)
66 (44)
55* (43)
1/32 (3)
1/43 (3.5)
Over 17
1
2
4
4
4
Shoaib Malik*
32 (10)
Jonathan Wells
55 (43)
Hasan Ali
1/43 (3.5)
PES
177/2
4
16.5
Hasan Ali to Shoaib Malik ,FOUR! Peshawar Zalmi wins by 8 wickets and they are into the FINALS! A short of a length ball, outside off. Shoaib Malik arcs back and pulls it towards deep mid-wicket fence for four. A very good cameo by Shoaib Malik helps his team reach the finals.
4
16.4
Hasan Ali to Shoaib Malik ,FOUR! Fullish delivery, outside off. Malik swings it and gets a thick outside edge towards third man for a boundary. Just 2 runs needed now.
4
16.3
Hasan Ali to Shoaib Malik ,FOUR! Shoaib Malik reaches to 24 in no time! A back of a length ball, outside off. Malik goes deep and cuts it through point for a boundary.
2
16.2
Hasan Ali to Shoaib Malik ,In the air and safe! Another short ball, outside off. Malik is too early on his pull shot but the ball falls in the vacant mid-wicket region. Two runs taken
1
16.1
Hasan Ali to Jonathan Wells ,A short ball, on middle. This is pulled along the ground to square leg for a single.
Over 16
1
1
2
4
6
4
Shoaib Malik*
18 (6)
Jonathan Wells
54 (42)
Shadab Khan
0/55 (4)
PES
162/2
4
15.6
Shadab Khan to Shoaib Malik ,FOUR! 18 off the over! Fullish length on miiddle. Malik lofts it over the bowler's head to long on for a boundary.
6
15.5
Shadab Khan to Shoaib Malik ,SIX! Back-to-Back boundaries for Peshawar Zalmi! Tossed up, on middle. Malik heaves it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.
4
15.4
Shadab Khan to Shoaib Malik ,FOUR! Well Played! Fraction short, outside off. Malik cuts it late through the point region for a boundary.
2
15.3
Shadab Khan to Shoaib Malik ,Low full toss, on middle and leg. Malik tucks it to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.
1
15.2
Shadab Khan to Jonathan Wells ,Another tossed up delivery, on middle. Wells rocks back and flicks it to square leg for another single.
1
15.1
Shadab Khan to Shoaib Malik ,Tossed up, on middle. Shoaib Malik leans and pushes it to covers for a single.