Islamabad United Thwart Jamal’s Heroics, Seal 29-Run Win Over Peshawar Zalmi
Colin Munro has once won hearts with his incredible gesture by giving a tight hug to the ballboy during a game between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi.
The heartwarming moment was captured during the match when Colin Munro, celebrating a catch initially thought to be his, embraced a ball boy who had made a sensational diving grab beyond the boundary rope. The video of the heartwarming gesture went viral on social media.
Munro had to jumb over the boy to avoid collision but the ballboy took a classy catch and instantly asked for a hug which Munro obliged to in full enthusiasm. This must have made the ballboy’s day.
Islamabad United held their nerve to defeat Peshawar Zalmi by 29 runs in the 20th match of the Pakistan Super League on Monday.
Just out of reach for Munro, but the ball boy dives in for a sensational catch and earns a warm hug 🤗😍#HBLPSL9 | #KhulKeKhel | #IUvPZ️ pic.twitter.com/uBxe33cfzO
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 4, 2024
Islamabad, batting first after losing the toss, posted a competitive 196-4 on the board, with captain Shadab Khan leading the way with a superb 80 runs off just 51 balls. The Khan brothers, Naseem (1-26) and Hunain (2-25), then rattled the Zalmi top order, reducing them to 18-5 in the powerplay.
A valiant fightback from Aamer Jamal, who smashed a quickfire 87 runs off 49 balls, briefly threatened to turn the tide for Peshawar.
However, Shadab, with his all-round performance, dismissed Jamal in the 18th over, effectively ending Zalmi’s hopes. Shadab finished with impressive bowling figures of 3-41.
Peshawar’s chase was hampered from the outset, losing skipper Babar Azam for a duck in the first over due to a run-out. Saim Ayub and Mohammad Haris followed suit soon after, leaving Zalmi reeling at 3-3.
Jamal, alongside Paul Walter (33), staged a partial recovery with a 107-run partnership, but the dismissal of Jamal in the 18th over proved to be the turning point.
Islamabad’s bowlers kept things tight in the death overs, restricting Zalmi to 167-9, securing a crucial victory that propelled them to the third position in the six-team PSL table.