United vs Zalmi, 10th Match at Karachi, PSL, Feb 27 2021 - Ball by Ball Commentary

10.30 pm: Right, that brings us to the end of this double header day. Peshawar Zalmi are on top of the points table, the only team with 6 points. On behalf of Matt and Thilak, this is Saurabh Somani signing off.

Wahab Riaz is the man of the match: "When you have bad days, you have good days as well. I was trying hard to come out of my bad days. I was not in rhythm last few days, but thanks to the management who gave me confidence. That's why I took the new ball because I wanted to lead from the front. We know how good the pitches are and how good the batsmen are. Today I stuck to my basics rather than trying different things. The best thing is the character the players are showing. The way we had to chase 200 in the last two games, none of the batsmen complained. And none of the bowlers complained when we had only 140 in the first match. Everyone is supporting each other."

Shadab Khan: Our first loss but we have learned a lot in the last three games. We weren't learning from our batting errors and I had said in the last match that if we keep repeating errors we won't always win. This was a 160 pitch, if we had got that, it would have been difficult for them to get. It's T20 cricket, there are 120 balls, we played too many shots at times. We should learn from Shoaib bhai, how he played and bat like that next match. I thought the spinners will grip well (on why he took off Wasim and Hasan Ali).

Haider Ali: It's good batting with Shoaib bhai, he explains the plan to me well.The confidence is natural, but I'm not over-confident (on his hitting a six first ball). I shouldn't have been out with three runs to get, which is why I was upset with myself. The coaches have helped me a lot, explained my role to me.

10.15 pm: Third victory on the trot for Zalmi who go to the top of the table now. Clinical performance overall, set up by their bowlers. Wahab led the way as Islamabad were kept to just 118. Both teams batted exactly 17.1 overs, but Zalmi did it much better - obviously. Islamabad might have made a match of it if they had given Hasan Ali and Mohammad Wasim extended, or even full, spells up top, but once they were both taken off, the meagre target meant Malik and Kohler could build steadily. Haider Ali came and played some breathtaking shots, and victory arrived in a hurry.

Khan is the one who's really winning - "Happy with this wicket. Both Haider and Hassan are in my fantasy team :) "

Wajid Jawaid : "That's an over the top reaction from Hasan Ali in a lost cause"

Sherfane the new man out, with just 3 needed to win.

Zia Abbasi: "@Awais: Wahab is in supreme form with the bat and Shoaib Malik can be utilize his off spin skills too. They fall in category of alrounders in letter and spirit... "

During the strategic time-out, Haider Ali was getting some heavy duty tape put on his back by the physio, the kind of tape you put when there is an ache/pain to deal with. Doesn't seem to have affected his shot making, whatever's bothering his back.

Ammar: "Bring wasim back!!!!!!" - he's coming back now, but is it too late?

Kapil Baldawa: "Really ordinary captaincy. Bowling 8 overs of spin at once n not chopping and changing. Just ridiculous to allow batsmen to settle and get set and both aren't in best of bowling forms too. Fawad was destroyed in BBL and Shadab in domestic T20. Cadmore was struggling to play fast straight balls and Malik starts poorly against pace too.. "

Awais: "Zalmi might be finding ways to win matches, and they definitely are a good unit. But their lacl of genuine allrounders might hurt them on a bad day. They are definitely a batsman short and lack a proper 6th bowler.. "

Strategic timeout, with Zalmi needing 23 off 30 and 7 wickets in hand.

Arslan Satti : "Haider Aki should play his natural game to finish this game quickly. "

- think he's doing exactly that, Arslan.

Karim Z: "Taking TKC's wicket will prove expensive for United. Its Haider and Malik now on the pitch, and they know how to finish it off in style. "