PSL 2022: Alex Hales fifty lifts Islamabad United past Peshawar Zalmi in Eliminator 1

Ales Hales, who had returned to represent Islamabad United for the PSL 2022 playoffs, made full use of the opportunities provided to him by Zalmi with a brilliant 62 off 49 (six fours, three sixes).

Islamabad United's Alex Hales (right) acknowledges cheers after reaching his fifty in PSL 2022 Eliminator 1 against Peshawar Zalmi. (Source: Twitter)

Twice former champions Islamabad United defeated Peshawar Zalmi by five wickets in the Eliminator 1 of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2022 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Thursday (Gebruary 24). Zalmi paid a heavy price for a missed stumping and a dropped chance against Alex Hales inside the first three overs delivered by Zalmi’s new recruit Ali Majid in United’s 170-run chase.

Hales, who had returned to represent United for the playoffs, made full use of the opportunities provided to him by Zalmi with a brilliant 62 off 49 (six fours, three sixes). The English opener was finally undone by a sensational yorker by Salman Irshad, who also removed Asif Ali (7) with a beautifully disguised slow yorker.

Asif was dismissed with a score at 119 in the 16th over. His departure left United needing 51 off the last 28 balls. Azam Khan (28 off 22, one four, two sixes) and player-of-the-match Faheem Ashraf (19 not out, two fours, one six, one for 15 in three overs with the ball) brought United to the brink of victory with some big hits which left United needing 10 off the final six balls bowled by Benny Howell.

Azam was dismissed off the first ball of the final over in what was another twist in the tale of the thriller, however, Liam Dawson settled the game in United’s favour with a massive six over mid-wicket and a lap sweep off the following delivery for four as United chased the score down with three balls to spare.

Watch Liam Dawson's match-turning six in the final over here...

SIX and NOTHING LESS #HBLPSL7 l #LevelHai l #PZvIU pic.twitter.com/Uga5sp4O9u

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 24, 2022

Salman finished with three wickets for 31 but Zalmi skipper Wahab Riaz had a forgettable night with figures of 4-0-52-0. United will now take on Lahore Qalandars on Friday (February 25) in the PSL 2022 Eliminator 2, the winner will proceed to play the tournament final against Multan Sultans on Sunday (February 27).

Brief scores: Peshawar Zalmi 169/5 (Kamran Akmal 58, Shoaib Malik 55; Hasan Ali 3/30) lost to Islamabad United 170/5 in 19.3 ovs (Alex Hales 62, Azam Khan 28; Salman Irshad 3/31)

(with ANI inputs)