Twitter Reactions: Islamabad-born Usman Khawaja powers Islamabad United to the PSL 2021 playoffs

Islamabad United, on Thursday, June 17, became the first team to qualify for the playoffs in the 2021 Pakistan Super League (PSL). In Shadab Khan’s absence, the Islamabad-born Usman Khawaja led the United and he came to the party, taking his team to a 15-run win at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The Zalmi, on the other hand, ended the league stage with five wins from their 10 matches.

Khawaja races away

After being put in to bat first, the United got off to a steady start, scoring 54 runs in the powerplay. From there on, they started pressing the accelerator. Usman Khawaja and Colin Munro stitched together a partnership of 98 runs for the opening wicket off 59 balls. Shoaib Malik separated the duo after getting rid of Munro, who had got his eyes in, scoring 48 off 28 with five fours and two sixes.

After he got out, Asif Ali came out firing on all cylinders as he hammered a 14-ball 43 with two fours and five sixes. In the meantime, Khawaja went on to stay unbeaten on 105 off 56 and his knock was laced with 13 fours and three sixes. He got the apt support from Brandon King, who chipped in with a quick-fire 22-ball 46*. The United, eventually, amassed a colossal score of 247 in their 20 overs.

Zalmi for short

The run-chase didn’t start on a great note for the Zalmi, who lost Hazratullah Zazai for a golden duck to Akif Javed. Imam-ul-Haq, who replaced Haider Ali, fell prey to Hasan Ali. But Kamran Akmal kept going for his strokes and got a 32-ball 53 before Hussain Talat induced a false stroke from him. Rovman Powell hit a couple of fours after which the right-hander top-edged one off Javed.

Malik injected some momentum with a 36-ball 68. But with 63 runs needed and 22 balls left, Talat rattled his woodwork. Sherfane Rutherford was severe on Zafar Gohar and plundered 29 runs off eight balls. Hasan Ali, undoubtedly the Zalmi’s standout bowler, removed the southpaw. Wahab and Umaid Asif played cameos of 28* and 20* respectively, but the Zalmi could only get up to 232.

Here’s how the netizens reacted to Islamabad United’s win:

Innings of the tournament,proper cricketing shots,complete domination by Usman Khawaja,all class.

— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) June 17, 2021

What a brilliant innings by Usman Khawaja!😍#PSL #PSL6 #PSL2021 #Cricket #CricTracker pic.twitter.com/d4Wvcl0PxS

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) June 17, 2021

Usman Khawaja smashed unbeaten 105 runs from just 56 balls including 13 fours and 3 sixes as Islamabad United posted 247 for 2 from 20 overs against Zalmi in #PSL6 – Munro 48(28), Asif Ali – 43(14) & Brandon King – 46*(22). pic.twitter.com/UPvOKPAFdd

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 17, 2021

105* off 56 balls. Who would have thought that a single session with coach Saeed Ajmal would help Usman Khawaja this much? pic.twitter.com/iizB6WtZxf

— SIR .. (@SirJohnRoe) June 17, 2021

Century for Usman Khawaja (105 off 56 balls) in the PSL in the sixth-highest scoring T20 match of all timehttps://t.co/vZX36XeZU9 #PSL2021 pic.twitter.com/Q11bQI5amo

— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) June 18, 2021

“Usman Khawaja is standing as if he has done nothing” pic.twitter.com/FNkNW0LqY9

— PSL Memes (@PSLMemesWalay) June 17, 2021

Usman Khawaja (captaining IU today) posts the first 100 of the HBL PSL 6 Abu Dhabi-leg
SENSATIONAL strokeplay by UK for the franchise belonging to his birth city👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/850Cew7jyo

— Emmad Hameed (@Emmad81) June 17, 2021

Islamabad-born Australia cricketer Usman Khawaja wins his first match as Islamabad United captain with a stunning 105*. Pakistan Super League got everything. @IsbUnited @Uz_Khawaja #Cricket #PSL

— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) June 17, 2021