Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Haider Ali help Zalmi down Sultans after record chase

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Peshawar Zalmi defeated Multan Sultans by six wickets in the ongoing HBL PSL match at the National Stadium in Karachi.

Chasing a target of 194 runs, highest in this year’s HBL PSL, Zalmi made a solid start with openers Kamran Akmal (37 off 24) and Imamul Haq (48 off 39) sharing a stand of 57 runs in 6.3 overs.

Sultans’ bowlers tightened the noose in the middle phase of the innings but Tom Kohler-Cadmore kept his side on track with a brisk fifty. He scored 53 runs off 32 balls with the help of six fours and a six.

Sherfane Rutherford (15 off six), Shoaib Malik (unbeaten 11 off five) chipped in with valuable contributions.

Haider Ali provided the finishing touches with an explosive cameo, scoring 24 runs off eight deliveries. His unbeaten knock included two fours and two maximums. Zalmi reached the target with an over to spare.

For Sultans, young pacer Shahnawaz Dhani, who bowled an impressive first spell, claimed figures of 2/44 while leg-spinner Usman Qadir picked up one wicket and conceded 29 runs.

Earlier, Sultans posted 193-4 in their allotted 20 overs, setting Zalmi a stiff target.

Peshawar Zalmi got off to a great start, after opting to bowl first, with lanky pacer Mohammad Irfan, who was making his debut for the franchise, dismissing hard-hitting opener Chris Lynn (one off four) on his first delivery in the second over of the innings.

At this stage, opener and captain Mohammad Rizwan and top-order batsman James Vince combined for a crucial 82-run partnership to set the platform for a competitive total. Rizwan was dismissed by young pacer Mohammad Imran after scoring 41 runs off 28 balls.

After Rizwan’s departure, Sohaib Maqsood came in and stepped on the accelerator, along with Vince. Maqsood played a brisk innings of 36 runs off 21 balls — an innings which included four fours and two sixes.

James Vince was the star of the show for Sultans as he scored 84 runs off 55 balls. His knock included nine fours and three maximums.

For Zalmi, pacer Saqib Mahmood claimed two wickets for 36 runs. Mohammad Irfan and Mohammad Imran bagged one wicket each.

Skipper Wahab Riaz had an off day with the ball, conceding 51 runs in four overs.