Peshawar Zalmi’s skipper Babar Azam orchestrated a scintillating century against Islamabad United during the riveting clash in the ongoing ninth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
The maestro’s remarkable innings, coupled with Arif Yaqoob’s stellar five-wicket haul, propelled Peshawar Zalmi to a thrilling eight-run victory, clinching their third consecutive win in the tournament.
In a heartwarming revelation during the post-match ceremony, Babar Azam attributed his extraordinary performance to his mother’s presence at the stadium, marking her inaugural attendance at one of his matches.
“My mother came [to watch] for the first time. She’s very happy. She enjoyed it. She always watches at home but she proved to be [a source of] good luck for me,” expressed Azam, echoing the sentiment of familial support that often transcends the boundaries of the cricketing arena.
Peshawar Zalmi’s triumph was built upon a formidable foundation laid a day earlier when they managed to contain Islamabad United to 193 runs, despite setting a daunting target of 202 runs in the first innings. Islamabad’s pursuit of victory seemed promising, especially fueled by a remarkable fourth-wicket partnership between Colin Munro and Azam Khan.
However, the tide of the match shifted dramatically with Arif Yaqoob’s sensational four-wicket haul in the pivotal 19th over, swinging momentum decisively in favor of Peshawar Zalmi.
This historic feat etches a new chapter in the annals of PSL history, as Arif Yaqoob becomes the first bowler to claim four wickets in a single
over, culminating with an impressive figure of 5 for 27. His exceptional performance further solidified Peshawar Zalmi’s dominance in the tournament, reaffirming their status as formidable contenders vying for PSL glory.
