Superb Sharjeel century sends Islamabad into PSL final

Barnaby Read 23:29 21/02/2016
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  • Sharjeel's was the first PSL hundred.

    Sharjeel Khan became the first Pakistan Super League player to score a century, sending his Islamabad United side into the competition’s final with a comprehensive 50 run win over Peshawar Zalmi on Sunday night.

    Sharjeel’s superb 117 from just 62 balls, an innings that included 12 fours and 8 sixes, lit up the Dubai International Cricket Stadium as Islamabad’s total of 176-3 proved too much for the chasing Peshawar pack.

    The 26-year-old reached three figures in fitting style with a straight six off Shahid Afridi, the bowler so impressed he embraced the jubilant Islamabad man in recognition of his stunning knock.

    Sharjeel drove, cut and pulled the Peshawar attack to every corner of the ground in dominant fashion, his ability against the short ball off the quicks a particular highlight considering so many sub-continent players have traditionally struggled to do so with such effectiveness.

    The left-hander raced to his fifty from just 28 balls, providing much needed firepower as Dwayne Smith struggled to get going at the other end.

    At the halfway stage the pair had taken their side to 79 without loss and had established the perfect foundation to build a big total.

    Smith’s innings was brought to an end with the first ball of the 14th over as he was struck on the pads in front of middle and leg to Shaun Tait, send back to the pavilion with 19 from 37 balls.

    Tait accounted for countryman Brad Haddin next ball, the score 108-2 and Sharjheel’s efforts in danger of being undone by his own teammates.

    Sharjeel continued on his merry way, however, and took just 51 balls to became the first PSL player to three figures.

    He ensured there were no further dramas and with the help of Khalid Lateef took Islamabad to 176-3 at the end of their 20 overs.

    In pursuit, Islamabad suffered an early setback as Dawid Malan – in for Jonny Bairstow – departed in the fourth over for 7, edging spinner Samuel Badree behind to Brad Haddin and leaving Peshawar 24-1.

    Malan’s opening partner Kamran Akmal had no such problems and found the boundary regularly.

    It was the other end where Peshawar were suffering, Mohammad Hafeez (8) the next man out, lazily pulling Lateef to mid-wicket and leaving his side 59-2 in the ninth over.

    And when Akmal was stumped by Haddin off Lateef for 45, Peshawar were in need of something special at 66-3 after 10.2 overs and still 111 in arrears of the target.

    Lateef had his third and fourth wickets two overs later as first Brad Hodge (5) and then Darren Sammy (9) perished in the same over, Islamabad turning the screw in pursuit of a final berth.

    The left-arm spinner finished with figures of 4-20 from his three overs, the standout performer with the ball for Islamabad.

    Afridi threatened to take the game to the wire with some monstrous hitting into the Dubai stands but was running out of partners as the innings edged towards its conclusion.

    Shahid Yousuf (4), Wahab Riaz (1) and Hasan Ali (1) were the other men to fall before Afridi finally succumbed for 38 off 17 and Tait (0) was bowled with Zalmi bowled out for 126 with two overs to spare as Islamabad booked their place in Tuesday’s final.

    They will now face Quetta Gladiators, where the winner will be crowned the first ever PSL champions.

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