Zalmi’s Liam Dawson scripts four-wicket win in last ball thriller

DUBAI: Peshawar Zalmi's all-rounder Liam Dawson unbeaten half-century complimented with last ball boundary thundered down Islamabad United by four wickets at the Dubai International Stadium on Friday. 

The match played between the two top-rated franchises over the first place went till the last ball where Dawson's heroic boundary sealed Zalmi's victory. 

Spinners Shadab Khan and Zafar Gauhar outshined Zalmi's top-order with their two wickets respectively. The game appeared to be falling completely in favour of Sami's team with Pollard's departure on just one run. 

But later death over hitting by Dawson (52) and skipper Darren Sammy (40) led the team to chase 177 runs. 

Zalmi now sit at the top of the table with 10 points, two more than United and Quetta Gladiators.

First Innings

 Zalmi's fast bowler Hasan Ali and spinner Ibtisam Shiekh picked two wickets as Islamabad United managed to score 176 runs.

Shiekh ensured Zalmi's dominance in the first powerplay in the high-intensity match against United. The leg-break bowler took timely wickets of opener Luke Ronchi and Philip Salt. 

But a half-century by Cameron Delport diluted the pressure established by Shiekh with his two wickets with his masterclass half-century knock.

United's middle-order failed to carry the momentum built by Delport with his 71 run innings as Zalmi's pacers gained ground. 

Wahab Riaz, Shiekh and Ali picked two wickets each, while Umaid Asif managed to bag one. 

The last time these two teams met in the tournament, United defeated the Darren Sammy-led side by 12 runs.