Peshawar Zalmi opener Kamran Akmal and debutant quick Umaid Asif seal easy win over Islamabad United

Waseem Ahmed 20:07 24/02/2018
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    • Peshawar quick Umaid Asif took four wickets. Image courtesy @thePSLt20/Twitter.

    Peshawar Zalmi fast bowler Umaid Asif ripped through the Islamabad United top order on his PSL debut, picking up 4-23 to secure a 34-run win in their clash in Dubai on Saturday.

    Batting first on a wicket that offered a lot more pace and bounce than typical Dubai wickets, Peshawar were given a rollicking start by wicketkeeper batsman Kamran Akmal who blasted 53 off just 32 balls. Darren Sammy’s side reached 176-6 which proved more than enough.

    Islamabad were never in the hunt, with opening bowler Asif taking the first four wickets using his height and pace to great effect. Leg-spinner Ibtisam Sheikh chipped in with 3-20 as Islamabad were restricted to 142-9.

    ANDRE RUSSELL GETS A HARSH WELCOME

    West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell was making his comeback to international competitive cricket after a one-year hiatus for anti-doping code violation. While the rest of the world wanted to see Russell in full flow with the ball and bat, Peshawar opener Akmal did not share those sentiments. Akmal smashed the first four balls bowled by Russell for two boundaries and a six as the West Indian went for 21 runs on his return.

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    • Kamran Akmal hit a quick-fire fifty. Pic courtesy @thePSLt20/Twitter.

    Kamran Akmal hit a quick-fire fifty. Pic courtesy @thePSLt20/Twitter.

    PESHAWAR TOP ORDER ON SONG

    While Kamran went berserk, the other top order players kept the scoring rate up. Bangladeshi opener Tamim Iqbal hit a relatively sedate 29-ball 39 while all-rounder Dwayne Smith hit 30 off 21.

    Mohammad Hafeez showed his experience in remaining 30 not out off 22 balls to add meat to the total.

    UMAID ASIF LETS LOOSE

    Peshawar fast bowler Asif didn’t not give anything away in his opening spell, using the extra nip in the wicket to crush the fragile looking Islamabad top order. He got Luke Ronchi out on the pull shot and had Hussain Talat caught behind while defending.

    Islamabad now have some serious thinking to do as their top order looks particularly weak and will have bowlers lining up against them.

    IBTISAM SHEIKH WINS BATTLE OF LEGGIES

    This wasn’t much of a contest. Islamabad and national team leg-spinner Shadab Khan is one of the most valued wrist spinners in the game but he was not effective on Saturday as his four overs went for 34 runs. But his opposite number – Zalmi’s 19-year-old leggie Ibtisam Sheikh – came into bowl without any pressure with the opposition 46-5. Displaying his full range of leg spinners, googlies and top spinners, Sheikh finished with figures of 3-20. Definitely one to watch out for.

    CATCH OF THE DAY

    Andre Russell didn’t have much of an impact with the ball or bat but in the outfield he made his presence felt. Fielding at long on with Mohammad Sami bowling to Haris Sohail, Russell ran around to grab the ball that was destined to go for a six and then kept his composure to remain inside the field. There are certain things you don’t forget. For Russell, being brilliant in the outfield is one of them.

    MAN OF THE MATCH

    While Kamran put Peshawar on the path to victory, it was Asif – man of the match – who ended the contest with his opening burst. Pakistan seem to have unearthed another talented fast bowler who looks set for greater accomplishments.

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