HBL PSL 6: Raja lauds Zalmi’s run-chase against Sultans

Former Pakistan cricketer Ramiz Raja was impressed with Peshawar Zalmi’s run-chase against Multan Sultans during yesterday’s HBL PSL 6 clash.

Zalmi chased down the 194-run target set by Sultans in 19 overs, which made Raja tout the match as the best one of the season so far. 

“This [Multan vs Peshawar] was the best match of this year’s HBL PSL because a target of almost 200 runs was chased down and this makes T20 cricket enjoyable. Match went till the end and it was difficult to predict the team that is going to win. Both teams have to be commended. All the pitches on the square are high-scoring ones. Finally, they have cracked the code that how can you score big runs,” said Raja. 

He also praised the collective effort of the Zalmi side bearing in mind the daunting task. 

“The match was very fascinating and this is the reason why so many people watch T20 cricket. James Vince, Mohammad Rizwan, and Sohaib Maqsood all three batted brilliantly and gave Multan Sultans a great chance. They also played the appropriate team, played two leg spinners Usman Qadir and Shahid Afridi because this pitch was looking a bit rough,” he said. 

“However, when the run chase began it was superb. Cadmore laid a great platform and after that Haider Ali did some amazing hitting,” he added. “Rutherford also chipped in and hit some boundaries, Imamul Haq batted well so it was a collective effort. Zalmi did not give up after getting smashed by Multan. 

Raja, who was part of the 1992 World Cup winning team, also admitted that the match was a heart-racing thriller.

“It happens that when a team scores 200 against you’re the confidence of the team goes down. However, they did not take any pressure and played freely. In this run chase openers have to set a platform and that happened. Imam and Cadmore played leg-spin outstandingly and then Shoaib and Haider provided the role of finishers. It was a heart-racing thriller,” he concluded.