A late Darren Sammy blitz saw Peshawar Zalmi pull off a stunning five-wicket victory over Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League on Thursday.
At Sharjah Stadium, needing 142 to win, the defending champions were staring at another defeat when Sabbir Rahman was removed with the score 125-5 with nine balls remaining.
But skipper Sammy led from the front to end the game 16no from just four deliveries. He smashed a much-needed six on his first ball before repeating the feat two balls later.
The West Indian then held his nerve to score a match-winning boundary with two balls to spare for what was Peshawar’s second victory of the tournament. Tamim Iqbal had top-scored with 36 before being run-out for Peshawar.
“I just needed to hit three sixes, that’s what I told the coach,” said Sammy, who was named man of the match. “Even if you hobble it’s okay, just get a six.
“It’s a great feeling to make the team win. Games against Quetta have always been classics.
“I told myself: just two big hits and we could win. I believed myself, and it came off.”
Darren Sammy scores the match-winning 4 for Peshawar Zalmi !
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 1, 2018
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Earlier, Quetta had posted 141-8 with Australian all-rounder Shane Watson top-scoring with 47. His knock came off 32 deliveries, including five sixes and a four.
He was one of four players to reach double figures as Umaid Asif (2-18), Wahab Riaz (2-16) and Sammy (2-21) were among those to take wickets.
For Quetta captain Sarfraz Ahmed, he lamented the batting performance of his players.
“We need to improve our batting. We should’ve scored a bit more. We also need a bit more variation with our bowling,” he said.
