PSL 9: Mohammad Hafeez slams Imad Wasim over subpar performances

Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez is confused regarding the role of all-rounder Imad Wasim after a tightly contested match between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine.

The 35-year-old is playing for Islamabad for the first time after playing for eight seasons at Karachi Kings.

During an interview on a local sports channel, Hafeez raised doubts about Imad's impact, as he scored only 1 run and was unsuccessful in taking any wickets in the match. This has led to concerns about Imad's overall contribution to the team's performance.

"I don't understand Imad's impact at all. As a bowler, and as a batter, he is nowhere in the PSL. There are higher expectations from Imad," Hafeez said.

On the other hand, Hafeez also emphasised the diminishing impact of Faheem Ashraf in the recent PSL seasons. Similar to Imad, Faheem struggled to leave a mark in the match, managing only one run and failing to take any wickets.

"Faheem's impact seems to have decreased over the past few PSL seasons. The total out-of-form performance of Faheem and Imad is dragging Islamabad United down from a bowling point of view," he further added.

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.

After posting a 202-run target, Peshawar restricted Islamabad to 193/9.

Despite a promising partnership between Colin Munro and Azam Khan, leading Islamabad towards victory, Yaqoob's exceptional four-wicket over during the 19th over shifted the momentum in favour of Peshawar.

This event marks a historic moment in the PSL, with Yaqoob becoming the first bowler to claim four wickets in a single over, concluding with figures of 5/27.

Islamabad faced early setbacks in their run chase, losing Jordan Cox (13) in the fifth over when only 32 runs were on the scoreboard. The departure of Shadab Khan (6) and Salman Ali Agha (14) in quick succession added to the pressure, leaving Islamabad at 73/3 in 9.3 overs.

Azam Khan's entrance transformed the game, forging a remarkable 108-run partnership with Munro. He scored a stunning 75 off 30 deliveries, including six boundaries and as many sixes. However, his departure in the 18th over triggered a collapse in the lower order.

Munro, who contributed 71 runs in 53 balls, fell on the next delivery. Spinner Arif Yaqoob further dented Islamabad's hopes by taking three more wickets in the penultimate over, achieving a five-wicket haul – the first in PSL 9.

Despite Naseem Shah's late six in the final over, Islamabad fell short by 19 runs. Apart from Yaqoob, Salman Irshad, Naveen, Luke Wood, and Saim Ayub each secured one wicket.

Opting to bat first, Peshawar's openers Saim Ayub and Babar laid a strong foundation with a 73-run partnership. Ayub's brisk 38 off 21 balls set the tone, but quick dismissals in the middle overs left Peshawar at 80/3 in 8.4 overs.

Babar Azam then staged a comeback, orchestrating a ruthless counterattack. His explosive 18th over, featuring four boundaries and a six, turned the tide. Azam's unbeaten 111 off 63 balls, supported by Asif Ali's brisk 17, propelled Peshawar to 202. Shadab led United's bowling with figures of 2/28, while Naseem Shah and Salman Ali Agha claimed one wicket each.