DUBAI (Monitoring Desk): Dawson smashed a match-winning boundary to take Peshawar Zalmi over the victory line against Islamabad United by four wickets in the 21st match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season four at Dubai International Stadium.
Needing 14 runs in the last over, Zalmi went through immense pressure but it was Dawson who stole the show by scoring single-handedly for his team. He struck 52 runs off 35 balls.
Sent to bat first, United posted 176 runs on the scoreboard with the help of Cameron Delport who made his way to score 71 runs off 55 balls with the help of eight boundaries and a six before he got caught at deep mid-off on slower delivery from Hasan Ali who picked two wickets conceding 24 runs.
lost early wicket of Luke Ronchi when young leggy Ibtisam Sheikh got his man. He scored just nine runs. Philip Salt and Cameron Delport built the momentum thereafter scoring a partnership of 46 runs but it was Sheikh once again producing a breakthrough. This time he hunted Philip Salt with the help of Andre Fletcher who took a blinder at boundary ropes. Salt made 28 runs.
Wahab Riaz bowled a perfect reverse swinger to thrash the stumps which sent Chadwick Walton back home after scoring 22 runs off 14. Asif Ali then raced the score for United by scoring quick 23 runs off 13 balls but Umaid Asif took him at long on. Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz, and Ibtisam Sheikh shared two wickets apiece while Umaid Asif took a wicket.
Zafar Gohar pitched the ball up to deceive in-from Kieron Pollard who got stumped out after adding just a run to Zalmi’s total who is chasing 173 runs. Umar Amin lofted the ball high in the sky off Faheem Ashraf which went straight in the hands of Amad Butt. He made just six runs. An attempt to reverse sweep the ball of Shadab Shadab cost hugely for Imam-ul-Haq as the ball trapped in his pads which was given out by the umpire.
Shadab Khan picked up Andre Flecther who was looking in good touch by scoring run a ball 21 runs. Zafar Gohar pitched the ball up to remove Kamran Akmal who made 19 runs.
After being asked to bat first, The skipper of Peshawar Zalmi Darren Sammy has won the toss and decided to bowl first against Islamabad United “The team is in good knick and we will try to continue the winning streak,” Sammy said after winning the toss.
Mohammad Sami, who is making a comeback as captain after recovering from injury, is confident to lead his side from the front.
“The team combination is strong to beat opponents. I am fit and really looking forward to perform today,” he said.
