Zalmi vs United, Eliminator 2 at Karachi, PSL, Mar 16 2024 - Match Result

That's it, the presentation ceremony is done. See you on Monday for one last time in this year's PSL for the grand final. I'm sure you'll join us for the coverage. For now, it's goodbye and goodnight from me, Rvel Zahid. Byeee!

Islamabad United made an unbelievable recovery after a massive wobble early on, but this Islamabad side bats deep, and it's never over until it's over. Imad Wasim played a blinder and set his mind on taking the game deep. All he needed was one partner who could support him till the end. It was the swashbuckling Haider Ali who dealt severe treatment to Zalmi, especially Aamer Jamal, and made the equation a walk in the park affair. Babar Azam stood helpless as his bowlers let it loose and surprisingly didn't go for many slow balls at the death. Islamabad United now need to make a hat-trick of wins to clinch the 2024 title. They defeated Quetta yesterday, Zalmi tonight, but can they beat the formidable Sultans on March 18? Props to Saim Ayub, who held his end of the bargain and delivered a terrific all-round performance. The dynamic batting all-rounder deserves a spot in the Pakistan squad for the T20 World Cup. Mohammad Haris scored a brisk 40-run knock and a few cameos down the order got them a respectable score but they slowed down at the death. The bowling from Zalmi was superb in the first half but then they were put under tremendous pressure by the seasoned campaigner Imad Wasim, who was so calm and composed throughout his stay at the crease. Imad has a habit of relishing these pressure games and it brings the best out of him.

Imad Wasim, Player of the Match: Todays' wicket was better than before. My plan was to bowl in the surface because the quicker you bowl the better it comes on the bat. We thought it's 190-200 wicket. They played really well but we bowled well in the last five overs. I felt they were 15 short but they bowled really well. Wicket was so good, you just stay and hit ball by ball, don't get ahead of yourself...Haider played an exceptional innings. We had Faheem as well, Naseem as well, I thought if we played 20 overs, we'll have a great chance. The momentum is in our side but having said that Multan is a very good team...

Shadab Khan: We haven' played a perfect game, one perfect game is remaining, hopefully it will be in the finals. Everyone was believing in themselves no matter what the situation. Hunain dropped a catch so I did't want to put pressure on him because we had seven options so we covered him up. I told players to take it deep because we have match-winners who can win the game out of nowhere. In these matches, it's about your attitude, it's about staying calm. Haider has done so much hard work, I've seen his potential when I was northern captain. Before the PSL, I was asked in press conference that who will be your match winner, I told that it will be Haider Ali because he was in great touch. He didn't perform that much in previous years and everyone criticized him but I'm very happy for him, if you give love, the right atmosphere and support then they feel comfortable and it reflects in the performance

Haider Ali: I'm feeling really good that our team are in the final. We were in a difficult position but we had the belief to chase it down. There was a bit of pressure early on but Imad Wasim managed it so well and told me to stick with cricketing shots. We needed boundary in every over...yes, I took some time, I think when I went in at 12 or 13th over, plan was to build a partnership. Credit goes to captain, management...they all support us and everyone has belief to get the job done.

Ayaz Shahani : "Maddy will be the man of the match or it should be given to Saim Ayub who truly deserve for his all-round performance "

Prashant: "How modest Imad is in his speech, just love his attitude and calmness. Also with his cute son :). I still feel, he should be always a part of pakistan 11"

Karim: "Babar will never learn, his captaincy is poor to say the least and his cardinal sins always cost his team. Khurram Shahzad was bowling a beautiful spell, if you discard the no-ball six and subsequent delivery his economy rate was 4.33 in three overs and a wicket. He troubled Haider Ali and should have been allowed to continue bowling instead of Aamer Jamal."

MoRohaan: "Whoever said that IU choke in the playoff hats off to you because you said it too soon. Shouldn't have said it "

Mazahir: "Haider Ali picking up the right time and inexperience of PZ bowling is surely the cause of this damage. I feel for Babar Azam. "

Irfan: "Why are peshawar bowlers not bowling slower ones. Haven't they learned from Islamabad. Taking pace off helped Islamabad alot."

Waleed: "Haider Ali has almost always succumbed to short-pitch deliveries.And Jamal is doing the exact opposite for him. "

Safeer: "Had my comment been published around the 14th over mark, I said this will be a big test for Haider and let's see if he can strike a big partnership with Imad! What.A.Comeback!!"

GormitAunty: "IU qualifying will make for a better final as they have many match winners whereas PZ are just a two man team."

Attiya: "What a day for haider to perform! PZ did everything but lost to this pair. They were 20-30 runs short from start."

Now this innings from Imad Wasim takes me back to his unbeaten 49* against Afghanistan in the 2019 World Cup. He soaked in heaps of pressure and played a key role in that win.

sana: ""islamabad can win this match from here""