PES VS ISL ELIMINATOR 1

Right then! That is it from this match. It's time now to turn our focus onto Eliminator 2, a match that will decide the second finalist of PSL 2022. A resurgent Islamabad United face-off against home side Lahore Qalandars in that match on Friday, the 25th of February. The match will begin at 8 pm IST (2.30 pm GMT) but the build-up will begin much sooner. Do join us then. Take care and goodbye!

Shadab Khan, the captain of Islamabad United says that Alex Hales is one of the best players in the world and he has performed everywhere in different leagues. Says that the youngsters should learn from such quality players. Mentions that they struggled in the group stages as a lot of players got injured and were unavailable but they are back and would love to continue this way. Informs that he thought of sending Hasan Ali in the end but the coach asked him to send Liam Dawson.

Peshawar Zalmi skipper, Wahab Riaz says that they had a few lapses in the field and with the ball as well but they had the runs on the board to defend. He adds that it was a bit difficult tonight as there was a bit of dew which wasn't expected and they just didn't execute their plans well and also mentions that Peshawar is the most underrated team, they always find a way to make it through to the playoffs. He adds that it was a bit difficult losing overseas players due to Covid or injuries but congratulates their local players who stepped up big time. Also adds that there should be a good mix of experience and youth and applauds Shoaib Malik for the way he shows his hunger to win on the field which matters a lot.

Faheem Ashraf is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his all-round performance. He says that Azam and he discussed that they didn't want to give away wickets and take the game to the end. Mentions that during bowling, his plan was to hit the hard length and stick to it. States that the old United is back and they will look to give a similar performance against Lahore Qalandars tomorrow.

Presentation ceremony...

Alex Hales is down for a quick chat. Hales says that they are very excited and are really pumped up. Says that it was a tough chase and they did well in the end. Tells that the pitch was a bit on the slower side and says Khaleed made his life tough but is glad that he made a contribution. Mentions that Dawson has been an incredible cricketer. Informs that they will get a good sleep and get going against Lahore Qalandars tomorrow.

So close yet so far for Peshawar Zalmi. They were the in-form team, on a four-match winning streak and they almost made it five wins in a row. It just wasn't meant to be though as their dreams were crushed in the final over by Liam Dawson and they are now knocked out of the tournament. Apart from the skipper Wahab Riaz every bowler played a part in getting their side closer to the win but it was Salman Irshad's spell after the halfway mark which truly brought Peshawar back in the game. Irshad nailed his yorkers and picked up 3 crucial wickets but his fine performance was not backed up at the death by Riaz or Howell. Howell though gave them hope by sending back Azam Khan on the first ball of the final over but that hope perished after just two more deliveries. A disappointing end to a campaign in which Peshawar showed great fighting ability to reach the knockouts in the first place.

Will Jacks and Alex Hales gave Islamabad United a steady start but Hales never look settled. Jacks though was the first to go and Hales kept on battling. He stitched another useful partnership with the skipper and notched up a fifty. Shadab Khan then fell and once Hales got out, Asif Ali soon followed. It was then the crucial stand between Azam Khan and Faheem Ashraf that brought Islamabad back into the match and both of them hit a few lusty blows. They seemed to have the game in the bag but with 10 needed off the final over, Khan fell. In came Liam Dawson and nonchalantly hit a six and a four to finish off the game in fine fashion. Islamabad United will now be pumped up for their clash against Lahore tomorrow night.

Wow! Liam Dawson comes in and all cool as you like, hits two boundaries off two balls to seal the game for Islamabad United! What a nerve-wracking contest this has been but it's Islamabad who have turned around their fortune and after three consecutive losses, have won the match that mattered. They have made it through to Eliminator 2 at the expense of Peshawar Zalmi who for all their form coming into this match have failed to get over the line and are left heartbroken. All in all, a terrific game of cricket!

FOUR! That's it! Game, set and match! It takes just two deliveries for Liam Dawson to finish things off. Poor delivery from Benny Howell though as he bowls a full toss, on middle. Liam Dawson scoops it to fine leg and the ball races away to the fence in a flash. Liam Dawson takes his side home and into the Eliminator 2 as well. Islamabad United win by 5 wickets!

SIX! Oh my goodness! Unbelievable! Liam Dawson faces his first ball and sends it out of the park. 86-metre hit that! Length ball, on middle. Liam Dawson whacks it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. The fielder in the deep is just a spectator there. Islamabad United one hit away now!

Liam Dawson has been sent in at number 7.

OUT! LBW! Benny Howell has done the job. Atleast, for now! Excellent delivery from him. Nice and straight, Azam Khan sits low and looks to sweep but gets deceived by the pace. He gets struck on the thigh pad and the umpire straightaway raises his finger. Azam Khan do opt for a review. There is nothing on UltraEdge and Ball Tracking shows all three reds. Absolutely brilliant from Benny Howell as his knuckle ball has provided him a crucial wicket. Is there any twist in the tale? 10 needed from 5 now.

There is a long chat going on in the middle between Wahab and the senior members of the side. It seems like Hussain Talat was being asked to bowl but he hasn't bowled a single over in the match. In the end,  Benny Howell has been entrusted to bowl the final over. Can he defend 9 runs?

Good-length ball, outside off. This one stays inside the tramline. Faheem Ashraf looks to cut it away but fails to connect. 10 needed off the final over. Peshawar Zalmi need to defend those to qualify and Islamabad United will feel they are two hits away. A very tense over coming up.

This is worked behind square on the leg side for a single.

SIX! BANG! This game is slipping out of Peshawar Zalmi's hands now. Maybe, that's the reason Wahab Riaz was refusing to bowl it anywhere near the stumps. Bowls a length ball, right in the arc of Azam Khan who pumps it over long on for a huge, huge six.