Twitter Reactions: Paul Stirling and Alex Hales combine batting fireworks to bring victory for Islamabad United

The Islamabad United started their campaign in the 2022 edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) on a winning note as they got the better of Peshawar Zalmi by nine wickets. Chasing a target of 169 set by Zalmi, the United romped past the finish line with 25 deliveries remaining.

Dynamic opener Alex Hales played a brisk knock for his side. The Englishman scored a match-winning 54-ball 82* for his side and stayed till the end to steer Islamabad past the finish line. Apart from Hales, Irishman Paul Stirling played a stellar knock as well contributing with 57 runs off 25 balls and also laying a solid foundation for Islamabad United with a 112 -run opening stand along with Alex Hales.

All the bowlers from Peshawar Zalmi went wicketless as the sole wicket of Paul Stirling was lost due to runout. Interestingly, Stirling was also adjudged the Player of the Match for his enterprising knock comprising seven fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 228.

Sherfane Rutherford’s half-century helps Peshawar Zalmi post 168/6

Earlier, after being asked to bat first, Peshawar Zalmi posted a fighting total of 168/6 on the board from their 20 overs. Sherfane Rutherford carried out the rescue act for Peshawar after they were reduced to 35/4 just after Powerplay and top-scored for his side with a vital knock of an unbeaten 70 runs off 46 deliveries. He added 73 runs for the fifth wicket stand with veteran Shoaib Malik who scored 25 off 22 balls.

Here is how Twitter reacted to today’s game

Great start to our tournament. Especially pleased with the effort put in the field by our youngsters, Mubasir Khan’s energy in the field is exactly what we want from our emerging players. All the pros stepped up at the right time. @IsbUnited, #UnitedWeWin pic.twitter.com/pyz4S0OvBI

— Shadab Khan (@76Shadabkhan) January 30, 2022

Name’s Stirling. Paul Stirling. #HBLPSL7 l #LevelHai l #PZvIU pic.twitter.com/gLL68mtukZ

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) January 30, 2022

Player of the match- no guesses! #HBLPSL7 l #LevelHai l #PZvIU pic.twitter.com/eeXgRwYB43

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) January 30, 2022

Paul Stirling's 18 ball fifty is now the fastest fifty by an overseas player in PSL.
Prev fastest: 19 balls by Luke Ronchi in 2018#PSL2022

— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) January 30, 2022

🔝 Knock😎! @AlexHales1 82*(54) & @stirlo90 57(25) Playing a Blinder Innings🔥💯❤! #PZvIU #HBLPSL7 #LevelHai

— KASHAN_AHMED_SHAIKH👑 کاشان_احمد_شیخ (@Itx_Me_Kashan) January 30, 2022

Meri Team @IsbUnited Jeet Gai…😍#PZvIU

— Nisar Hussain (@KamilSahab) January 30, 2022

When you're sponsored by Tiktok…. #PSL7 #PZvIU #LQvKK https://t.co/vn7gDUXPmA

— Saad Mustafa (@SaadMustafa099) January 30, 2022

Thukra K Mera Pyar Inteqam Dekheingi 😭😭 #PZvIU pic.twitter.com/mJ3OjMQx8Z

— PSL7🥺💙🦋 (@cricket__hub) January 30, 2022

#PZvIU #HBLPSL2022 pic.twitter.com/CTvfXCbH5M

— AQIB NABI (@me_AqibNabi) January 30, 2022

Missed a sponsorship opportunity there 😛 #PZvIU #PSL7 #PeshawarZalmi #Islamabad #PSL2022 pic.twitter.com/LczWB1xVJQ

— Muhib_tweet (@muhib_tweets) January 30, 2022

Halestorm at NSK Just Destroyed Peshawar Zalmi
Islamabad United Beat Peshawar Zalmi by 9 Wickets#RizwanAhmadOfficial #PZvIU #PSL2022 pic.twitter.com/O53IYcGXop

— Rizwan Ahmad (@RizwanA60034556) January 30, 2022

That’s it! That’s the victory!

Only 15.5 overs are enough to finish the match 🔥

JEET MUBARAK @IsbUnited#PSL7 #LevelHai #PZvIU #UnitedWeWin

— Asim Tayyab عاصم طیب (@Asimmalik309) January 30, 2022

Australian all-rounder Ben Cutting also chipped in towards the back end of the innings scoring 26 runs off 17 deliveries. Faheem Ashraf was the pick of the bowlers for the Islamabad United with figures of 2/23 from his four overs at an economy rate of 5.8. Hasan Ali also registered two scalps each from his four overs. He finished with 2/34 at an economy rate of 8.5. Mohammad Wasim and skipper Shadab Khan picked up a wicket each from their quota of four overs conceding 37 and 28 runs respectively.

Peshawar Zalmi were eyeing a second straight win in PSL 2022. They had beaten the Quetta Gladiators in their season opener on Friday by five wickets. Nonetheless, Zalmi were completely outplayed by Islamabad United in Sunday’s contest.