PSL 2017, Match 1 Review: Brad Haddin guides Islamabad United to an impressive win

Brad Haddin simply brandished his bat and smashed the ball to different parts of the stadium as he went ahead and helped defending champions Islamabad United secure an impressive win in the first match of the new season of the Pakistan Super League 2017. The theme of the night was clearly an Australian dominance in Dubai as even Shane Watson chipped in with an impressive performance on the day with four wickets to his name. Kamran Akmal was also one of those who helped himself to an impressive 88 which would eventually go in vain.

However, the main talking point on the day was the fact that the Duckworth-Lewis Method made a divine intervention that ensured that the Islamabad United were indeed the victors on the day. This also was one of those things that saw the defending champions secure a win on the day, thus starting their title defense in grand fashion.

David Malan and Kamran Akmal were those who ensured that the early wicket of Mohammad Hafeez did not indeed go in vain to say the least. The duo initially began taking calculated risks on the day before starting the massive shots. This was not hampered in their 122-run partnership as they went ahead and smashed these tuns in just 69 deliveries. Kamran Akmal in particular was in amazing form on the day as he propelled the Zalmi to 150 before eventually losing his wicket.

A few bunts from the bat here and there given the fact that the score of 200 looked highly likely. However, it was Shane Watson who ensured that this was not the case as he picked four wickets that ensured that the score was on 190, well above par, but get-able as well.

While Sharjeel Khan initially lost his wicket, the likes of Brad Haddin and Dwayne Smith got together as the rain clouds looming large. The duo added 104 for the second wicket as the target looked well within sight. While the D/L method would go ahead and save them eventually, the fact was that there was a lot of persistence on Junaid Khan.

At the end, with the rain drops falling, it was Shane Watson who went ahead and ensured that there was indeed no problems for the Islamabad United as they went ahead and secured the first win on the day,

Brief Scores:

Peshawar Zalmi: 190/9 in 20 overs (K Akmal 88; S Watson 4/44)

Islamabad United: 175/3 in 17.4 overs (B Haddin 73; C Jordan 1/30)