RAWALPINDI: Peshawar Zalmi openers Babar Azam and Saim Ayub scored quickfire half-centuries before a collective effort from the rest of the batters powered the side to a mammoth 242/6 against Multan Sultans in the 27th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight.
Opting to bat first, the Zalmi batters made the most of the batting paradise of the Pindi Cricket Stadium as the former champions piled up a massive total of 242/6 in 20 overs.
Earlier, Zalmi openers Babar and Saim carried on their magnificent form as the pair once again scripted a solid start for the side with both scoring brisk half-centuries.
Babar got to the milestone first in just 24 deliveries, recording his fastest fifty in the league’s history before Saim followed.
The pair once again looked comfortable trumping the record partnership of the league before Usama Mir got rid of Saim in the 12th over and handed a much-needed breakthrough to the Sultans.
The left-handed batter scored a brisk 33-ball 58, laced up five boundaries and four sixes.
Babar’s stay at the crease also remained brief after Saim’s dismissal as a short-pitch delivery by Abbas Afridi saw the end of his brilliant knock.
The Zalmi’s skipper scored 73 in just 39 balls, smashing nine boundaries and two sixes.
Zalmi then lost wickets at regular intervals but vital blitz by Mohammad Haris in the middle and Tom Kohler-Cadmore at the death powered the former champions to a massive total.
Haris struck a quickfire 35 in a mere 11 deliveries, hitting a boundary and four sixes, including three consecutive sixes to Sheldon Cottrell in the 14th over.
Kohler-Cadmore, on the other hand, was equally ruthless with his 18-ball 38 which featured four boundaries and two sixes.
Abbas led the bowling attack for the Sultans with 4/39 while Usama could pick up a wicket amid their forgetful day with the ball.
