Peshawar Zalmi Edge Past Islamabad United to Move Closer to PSL Final

Peshawar Zalmi claimed a 12-run victory over Islamabad United in a Pakistan Super League (PSL) encounter, bringing them one step closer to reaching the final.

Captain Babar Azam was the driving force behind Zalmi's innings, amassing an impressive 64 runs off just 39 balls, supported by opener Saim Ayub (23 off 16) and Mohammad Haris (34 off 17).

However, after Haris' dismissal, the team struggled to build momentum and lost wickets regularly, restricting them to 183-8.

In response, Azmatullah Omarzai's early wicket put Islamabad United under pressure, but Alex Hales and Sohaib Maqsood steadied the ship with a 115-run partnership for the second wicket.

Aamer Jamal's crucial breakthrough in the 15th over, removing Maqsood for 60, proved pivotal. He then took two more wickets in the 17th over, supported by Salman Irshad, who also took two wickets, leaving United struggling to stay in the game.

Despite a valiant effort from Shadab Khan, who scored 26 runs off 12 balls, United fell short of the target, finishing on 171-6. Zalmi will now face Lahore Qalandars in the next round, with the winner advancing to the final against Multan Sultans.