Former Pakistani captain Wasim Akram commended Islamabad United's all-rounder Imad Wasim following his match-winning performance against Peshawar Zalmi in the second eliminator of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi.
Early setbacks saw United struggling at 21-3 within just 3.3 overs of their 186-run chase, with Saim Ayub and Khurram Shahzad claiming crucial wickets. Despite the adversity, Imad's composed demeanor and controlled play impressed Akram, who highlighted Imad's calmness and resilience under pressure.
"When Imad Wasim came out to bat in such a situation, it can be a bit confusing, but he was totally calm. Look at his body language, it was a dangerous sign for Peshawar when he started,” Akram said while talking on a local sports show.
“When a player is calm, it means that he is just waiting for his time and that’s what happened. He scored 59 off 40 balls, the strike rate was 147, but his innings was much better than what the stats show. The situation in which he came, the way he built a partnership with Haider Ali,” he further added.
It is worth noting that Imad's unbeaten 59 and Haider Ali's explosive 52 off 29 balls, featuring five sixes and two fours, were instrumental in United's victory, showcasing their ability to take calculated risks while maintaining the required run rate.