PSL 9: Azam Khan, Arif Yaqoob shatter record books

Islamabad United batter Azam Khan and Peshawar Zalmi’s spinner Arif Yaqoob were on song in yesterday’s Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine match.

Azam registered the fastest fifty of PSL 9, taking just 21 balls. The hard-hitting right-hander broke Dawid Malan’s record, who achieved the feat in 22 balls against Peshawar Zalmi earlier during the event.

Meanwhile, Arif Yaqoob is the first bowler to take four wickets in an over in PSL history.

It must be noted that Babar Azam's 11th T20 century and Arif Yaqoob's fifer helped Peshawar Zalmi beat Islamabad United by eight runs in the 13th match of PSL 9.

After posting a 202-run target, Peshawar restricted Islamabad to 193/9. This was Peshawar's third straight win in the competition.

Islamabad appeared poised for victory following a remarkable fourth-wicket partnership between Colin Munro and Azam Khan, but Yaqoob's four-wicket haul in the 19th over swung the momentum back in Peshawar's favour.

Yaqoob concluded his spell with impressive figures of 5/27.

Scores in brief:

Peshawar Zalmi beat Islamabad United by eight runs

Peshawar Zalmi 201-5, 20 overs (Babar Azam 111 not out, Saim Ayub 38; Shadab Khan 2-28)

Islamabad United 193-9, 20 overs (Azam Khan 75, Colin Munro 71; Arif Yaqoob 5-27)

Player of the match – Babar Azam (Peshawar Zalmi)