Arguably the most popular team in the opening edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Peshawar Zalmi made a roaring start to the tournament with a resounding 24 run win over Islamabad United at the Dubai International Stadium, Friday night.
Captain Shahid Afridi reposed confidence in the abilities of his batsmen by opting to bat first even when the first two matches of the tournament were won comfortably by teams that batted second.
A 145 run total was just about par for the venue in the prevailing conditions, the bowling quintet of Shaun Tait, Junaid Khan, Wahab Riaz, Afridi and man of the match Mohammad Asghar dismantled a powerful United batting line-up with a degree of ease.
Asghar — the wily left-arm spinner who was a late induction into the main squad following a jump-up from the supplementary category proved his selection right with a brilliant bowling and fielding display. His two blinders off successive Wahab deliveries are most certainly going to make the ‘classic catches’ list at the end of the event.
Afridi and head coach Mohammad Akram dedicated the win to the 150 strong Army Public School (APS) children and teachers’ contingent that witnessed the match from the stadium stands.
The Zalmi management and players are indeed grateful to the massive response and coverage that the children have received since their arrival in Dubai. Together we all have to try and help remove the scars of the December 2014 tragedy that shook not only Pakistan but the entire country to the core.
The children are once again expected to travel to the venue today to cheer their Zalmi heroes in another high octane clash with the Azhar Ali led Lahore Qalandars.
Before arriving into the venue they will be taken to various Dubai landmarks following their visit to the Dubai Mall yesterday, a visit to Ferrari World is surely set to bring immense joy.
The match that starts at 8pm Dubai time is once again expected to attract a big crowd, the Zalmi team and management once again endeavor to put in a hundred percent effort in ensuring that their performance both entertains and warms the hearts of their supporters.
