Peshawar Zalmi's young star Haider Ali has continued to grow in stature, dispatching expansive drives to cement his authority in the ongoing Pakistan Super League.
Maintaining his consistent run, the right-handed batsman bludgeoned sparkling shots in his aggressive 12-ball 34 that lifted Zalmi to a sizeable total.
SIX AND OUT! HAIDER GOES AFTER WIESE AND TOM BANTON IS NOW REMOVED ??
— Cricingif (@_cricingif) February 28, 2020
Another wicket for Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi are 70/2 after five overs #HBLPSLV #TayyarHain #CricketForAll pic.twitter.com/i2LuoAZK3q
Having played the exact stroke considerably well in previous games, Haider once again smoked a length ball in a terrific manner straight past the bowler's head for six.
Dilbar Hussain emerged as the unlikely destroyer of Zalmi's strong batting line-up, managing to pick up four wickets in his three-over spell.
LAADI STRIKES THRICE IN TWO OVERS ??
— Cricingif (@_cricingif) February 28, 2020
Dilbar Hussain has kept Lahore Qalandars in the hunt so far in Rawalpindi #HBLPSLV #TayyarHain #CricketForAll pic.twitter.com/nE09fvgiZQ
He spelled out his attacking intentions on the very first delivery when the well-set Haider failed to pick his slower ball and ended up edging it to the wicketkeeper.
Peshawar's action-packed innings finished dramatically with Darren Sammy's dismissal to give Dilbar his fourth wicket.
The more intriguing aspect of the ball that caused Sammy's demise was the fact that Shaheen Afridi completed a brilliant diving catch, rushing backwards from the 30-yard circle to pluck the ball out of thin air.
Qalandars' hopes of achieving a miraculous chase remained alive till Chris Lynn was still out in the middle.
Punishing any ball in his driving arc, Lynn unleashed some impactful shots showcasing his supreme power and potential.
CHRIS LYNN GETS LAHORE QALANDARS GOING ??
— Cricingif (@_cricingif) February 28, 2020
13 runs from Rahat Ali's first over and we have a game on here in Rawalpindi #HBLPSLV #TayyarHain #CricketForAll pic.twitter.com/1NaTz8hS6c
He muscled a fantastic pull off Rahat Ali, making the ball disappear over the mid-wicket fence for a splendid six on the fourth ball of the innings.
Lewis Gregory equalled Dilbar's feat by also claiming four wickets, though his sublime effort proved to be a match-winning spell.
LEWIS GREGORY DECEIVES MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ AND LAHORE QALANDARS HAVE LOST ANOTHER
— Cricingif (@_cricingif) February 28, 2020
Peshawar Zalmi have removed the veteran and the batting side needs to consolidate #HBLPSLV #TayyarHain #CricketForAll pic.twitter.com/hj0rgACogv
He accounted for the important scalp of Mohammad Hafeez as the veteran was bamboozled by the lack of pace and could not connect a genuine pull shot.
Earlier, Gregory had a dream start to his PSL career by taking a wicket on his first-ever ball in the glamorous T20 league.
The Englishman Samit Patel's lone resistance towards the latter stages of the match did little to help Qalandars' cause.
Nevertheless, his impressive maximum against Aamir Khan made for delightful viewing when he shrewdly opened the face of his bat to place it backward of point.