Twitter Reactions: Hazratullah Zazai and Jonathan Wells power Peshawar Zalmi to the PSL 2021 final
The United, after topping the points table, couldn't get their act together in the Qualifier and Eliminator 2.
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Hazratullah Zazai, the Afghanistan left-hander, got his third POTM award in four games as Peshawar Zalmi romp to the final of the 2021 Pakistan Super League (PSL). On Tuesday, the Wahab Riaz-led unit beat the Islamabad United by eight wickets to set up a final clash with the Multan Sultans. As far as the United are concerned, they faltered in the playoffs after topping the table in the league stage.
Hasan Ali provides the kick
After being asked to bat first, the United had a poor start as Usman Khawaja was run out at the non-striker’s end. Colin Munro scored 44 runs off 29 balls, but he perished to Mohammad Irfan. The Zalmi used the DRS to good effect and Munro was adjudged caught down the leg side. Brandon King, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Shadab Khan got into double digits, but none could carry on.
The United, once, were reduced to 110 for eight in 15.4 overs. From there on, Hasan Ali and Mohammad Wasim stitched together a 62-run stand to bring their team back into the game. Hasan’s 16-ball 45 was laced with five fours and three sixes as the United got up to 174.
Zazai and Wells step up
In the run-chase, Kamran Akmal started with two fours before Hasan Ali castled him. Thereafter, Hazratullah Zazai and Jonathan Wells put on 126 runs for the second wicket to put the Zalmi on the driver’s seat. Zazai was a tad circumspect in the beginning as he got to his half-century off 39 balls.
He scored a 44-ball 66 before Mohammad Wasim dismissed him. Wells played a handy knock of an unbeaten 43-ball 55, seeing his team over the line. Shoaib Malik’s unbeaten 32 runs off 10 balls meant that Peshawar chased the target down with as many as 19 balls to spare.
Other teams played better than us: Hasan Ali
Shadab, the United skipper, reckoned that his team couldn’t step up when put under pressure. “We didn’t put in the kind of performances (in the playoffs) that we were doing earlier. In these pressure games, it’s important to have a grip on your nerves. Other teams played better than us, credit to them,” Hasan said after the game.
Wahab, on the other hand, was happy with how his side performed. “As a captain, you have to plan the death overs and that is the reason why I saved my overs for the middle and death overs. All the bowlers have done well and though we gave away a few runs, in the end, it was good to see how we made that comeback with the bat.” Wahab said.
Here’s how the netizens reacted to Peshawar Zalmi’s win:
Great efforts getting to @thePSLt20 final @PeshawarZalmi but we have one more to go. One team One Goal. And it is to win the cup Inshallah 🙏🏾🙏🏾 #YellowStorm
— Daren Sammy (@darensammy88) June 22, 2021
Hard to believe ISU won’t make the final after the tournament they’ve had but @zazai_3 has propelled Zalmi through these last couple of games. Great work mate, always good seeing a smile on that face 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 https://t.co/8O4O5mTEZr
— Insignia Sports (@Insignia_Sports) June 22, 2021
😅💛 @PeshawarZalmi pic.twitter.com/OvucAlVRpq
— Saqib Mahmood (@SaqMahmood25) June 21, 2021
There have been 6 PSLs and Peshawar Zalmi have made it to the FINAL four times. The most consistent team of the tournament. #PSLPlayOffs
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) June 22, 2021
Well done @PeshawarZalmi 🙌🙌🙌👏👏👏
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) June 22, 2021
1 GAME AWAY FROM THE TROPHY #Zalmi #YellowStorm #HBLPSL6 #ZKingdom #PZvsIU pic.twitter.com/l6sKjjMajl
— PeshawarZalmi (@PeshawarZalmi) June 22, 2021
Alhamdulilah another great effort by the whole @PeshawarZalmi team.
Congrats to @IsbUnited for an amazing tournament and hard luck for today.
Now can't wait to be out there for the all important final.#HBLPSL6 #PZvIU #YellowStorm 💛 pic.twitter.com/Xok3cj2GaW
— Wahab Riaz (@WahabViki) June 22, 2021
Not reaching the final after eight wins in twelve feels supremely anti climatic. But can't complain, we just got out played by the finalists on back to back days. Just weren't good enough.
Best of luck to @PeshawarZalmi and @MultanSultans for the Final. Truly worthy finalists.— Hassan Cheema (@mediagag) June 22, 2021
The PSL 6 final will be played between Multan Sultans and Peshawar Zalmi on Thursday #PSL6
— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) June 22, 2021
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