Despite blowing hot and cold throughout the season, Peshawar Zalmi under Babar Azam’s leadership reached the playoffs in the 8th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Zalmi, who was on the receiving end of two successful run-chases of over 240 runs, came back successfully to beat Islamabad United in their final league stage game in Rawalpindi, to not only qualify for the playoffs but also set up the eliminator date with the same opponent.
To celebrate their qualification, Zalmi shared a post on Twitter with an image of past and present players including Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Wahab Riaz, former captain and current coach of the franchise Daren Sammy and Babar Azam as it became the only franchise to qualify for the playoffs in every single edition of the PSL. “Most Consistent. Only franchise to qualify for the playoffs in every season of @thePSLt20,” Zalmi wrote in the post.
Pakistan pacer Hasan Ali, who played for the Peshawar franchise from 2016-2020, didn’t find himself in the iconic picture and was quick to remind their social media team saying, “I think you miss me. Sammy was quick to respond to Hasan as he trolled the pacer hilariously with a cheeky dig saying, “I think you miss us.”
Hasan, who has been part of the Shadab Khan-led Islamabad United since 2021, hasn’t been at his best in the ongoing edition of the PSL having taken just 12 wickets in 7 games with the economy being on the higher side. However, the pacer will be motivated to do well in the eliminator against his former side when Islamabad take on Peshawar Zalmi in the knockout game.
The first qualifier will be between the table-toppers and defending champions Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans. The loser of that game will face the winner of the eliminator in the second qualifier.
