Peshawar Zalmi survived a late scare to secure a tense four-wicket victory over Hyderabad Kingsmen in the HBL Pakistan Super League at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium on Wednesday.
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Chasing a modest 146-run target, Zalmi appeared in complete control for most of the innings before Hyderabad’s bowlers sparked a dramatic collapse to push the match into the final over.
At one stage, Zalmi required just 30 runs from 30 balls with six wickets in hand, but disciplined spells from Maheesh Theekshana, Mohammad Ali and Hunain Shah tightened the contest and shifted momentum.
The pressure mounted when Zalmi needed 15 runs off the final over, but experienced all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed held his nerve, smashing a crucial four and six to guide his side home with two balls remaining. He finished unbeaten on 15 off 10 deliveries.
Earlier in the chase, captain Babar Azam anchored the innings with a composed 43 off 37 balls, while Kusal Mendis added a brisk 27 to provide stability after an aggressive start.
Hyderabad’s bowlers fought back strongly in the middle overs, with Saim Ayub claiming two wickets and Mohammad Ali delivering a key economical spell to keep hopes alive.
Batting first, Hyderabad Kingsmen were bowled out for 145 in 18.2 overs after a middle-order recovery led by Kusal Perera, who top-scored with 58 off 31 balls, and captain Marnus Labuschagne, who contributed 27.
However, Hyderabad’s innings was undermined by an early collapse caused by Iftikhar Ahmed, who ripped through the top order with outstanding figures of 4 for 21 in the powerplay.
Spinner Sufiyan Muqeem also impressed, taking four wickets as Zalmi’s bowlers restricted Hyderabad to a below-par total.
Despite a spirited bowling performance from Hyderabad that nearly turned the game around, the Kingsmen remain winless in the tournament, while Zalmi claimed a hard-fought victory in a match far tighter than the scoreboard initially suggested.
