Peshawar Zalmi’s Arif Yaqoob delivered a memorable 5-wicket haul to lead his team to a remarkable comeback victory over Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League. Yaqoob’s outstanding performance saw him take four wickets while conceding just two runs in the crucial 19th over of the match at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
With Islamabad needing 21 runs off 12 balls with six wickets in hand at the start of the 19th over, Yaqoob turned the game around by restricting them to just 19 runs with two wickets remaining. Peshawar’s captain, Babar Azam, took a bold decision to bring on a spinner for the penultimate over after poor bowling performances by the fast bowlers had put them in a difficult situation.
Despite a strong partnership between Azam Khan and Colin Munro, Yaqoob’s heroics with the ball proved crucial as Islamabad collapsed under pressure, losing five wickets in just 11 balls. Azam Khan’s quick-fire 75 and Munro’s superb 71 were not enough to secure a victory for Islamabad.
Earlier in the match, Saim Ayub and Babar set a strong foundation with an opening stand of 77 runs before Peshawar faced a collapse, losing half their side in seven overs. Babar, who scored an unbeaten 111 off 63 balls, showcased his batting prowess once again to ensure that his team posted a challenging total.
Yaqoob’s exceptional bowling performance, along with Babar’s outstanding century, played a key role in Peshawar Zalmi’s victory, ending the Lahore leg of the PSL on a winning note.