Legends XI Clinch Victory in Flood Relief Exhibition Match

Legends XI defeated Peshawar Zalmi in a flood relief exhibition match held at Imran Khan Cricket Stadium on Saturday. Shahid Afridi and Abdur Rehman’s superb bowling performances were instrumental in restricting Peshawar Zalmi to a mere 144 runs in 14.4 overs.

Despite a promising 50-run opening partnership between captain Babar Azam and Yasir Hameed, Zalmi’s batting order faltered. After the initial stand was broken, wickets fell consistently, preventing Zalmi from utilizing their full 20 overs. Beyond Babar and Yasir, other batsmen failed to make substantial contributions.

Yasir contributed a swift 35 runs from 18 deliveries before Abdur Rehman claimed his wicket. Babar Azam, who appeared to be in excellent form, scored 41 runs off 23 balls before being dismissed by Saeed Ajmal. Maaz Sadaqat (2) and Israrullah (7) were dismissed early, falling to Rehman and Mohammad Hafeez respectively.

The spin combination of Hafeez and Rehman continued to dominate, further damaging Zalmi’s innings by removing Amir Burki (24 off 8) and Salman Khan (4 off 5), leaving them struggling at 114-5. Shahid Afridi then entered the attack, dismantling the lower order and securing three wickets, including Azan Afridi (13), Nisar Ali (1), and Imran Jr, who was dismissed LBW for a golden duck. Saeed Ajmal concluded the innings by dismissing Mohammad Irfan (7), while Zulfiqar Babar remained not out with 7 runs from two balls.

For Legends XI, Abdur Rehman and Shahid Afridi each secured three wickets, while Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez took two wickets each.

Chasing 145, Legends XI faced early challenges as wickets fell frequently. Mohammad Irfan made an early breakthrough for Zalmi, bowling out Kamran Ghulam for just one run in the first over. In the subsequent over, Salman dismissed Imran Farhat for one, leaving Legends struggling at 3-2 after only 1.1 overs. The slide continued in the third over when Irfan claimed his second wicket, removing Mohammad Hafeez for a mere two runs.

Azhar Ali and Humayun Farhat attempted to stabilize the innings with a 29-run partnership for the fourth wicket, but Azhar’s dismissal for 9 made it 35-4. In the following over, Zulfiqar Babar struck, removing Humayun Farhat, who scored a brisk 27 off 15 balls, reducing Legends to five wickets down at 6.2 overs.

More to follow……

Legends XI:

Inzamam-ul-Haq (c), Imran Farhat, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi, Azhar Mehmood, Humayun Farhat, Saeed Ajmal, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, Umaid Asif, Abdur Rehman, Waqar Ahmed, Kamran Ghulam, Nisar Afridi, Aimal Khan, Mohammad Salman.

Zalmi XI:

Babar Azam (c), Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Hafeez, Yasir Hameed, Israrullah, Salman Khan, Azan Afridi, Mohammad Irfan, Zulifqar Babar, Ihsanullah, Amir Barki, Nisar Ali, Imran Jr., Qasim Saeed.