Saim Ayub become the first-ever player in PSL to..

Peshawar Zalmi’s Saim Ayub entered the record books during the match against Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024. Saim Ayub achieved a unique record by dismissing Islamabad United’s Alex Hales with his very first delivery of the match.

Peshawar Zalmi skipper Babar Azam opted to open the bowling attack with part-timer Ayub in Rawalpindi on Monday, March 4. The decision proved fruitful for the team, as Saim delivered exceptionally well, dismissing Alex Hales with the very first delivery of the match.

Saim Ayub bowled the delivery on a length and found some grip on the surface to straighten after pitching. Hales, aiming for the leg stump, missed, and the ball struck the top of his middle stump. Hales returned to the dugout without adding any runs to the scoreboard.

Saim Ayub Achieves Unique Milestone During PSL 2024 Match

Following Alex Hales’s dismissal, Saim Ayub made history in the PSL by becoming the first player to be both dismissed on the first ball and take a wicket on the first ball of a match.

The 21-year-old cricketer conceded just three runs in his opening over, which also included a wicket. However, Colin Munro hit him for a six and a four in his second over. Nevertheless, Ayub managed to dismiss Munro, concluding with impressive bowling figures of 15/2.

Despite Saim’s contributions, United reached a total of 196/4 within their 20 overs. Skipper Shadab and all-rounder Agha Salman added a crucial 65-run partnership for the third wicket. Salman scored 37 off 25 balls before being dismissed by Salman Irshad.

Shadab added a 68-run stand with Jordan Cox for the fourth wicket. Shadab scored 80 runs off 51 deliveries with four boundaries and six maximums. Cox and Azam Khan then finished strongly, helping post a competitive total of 196 runs for the loss of four wickets.

Peshawar Zalmi faced an early setback in the chase, losing three wickets for just three runs in 3.1 overs, including Babar Azam’s golden duck. The franchise ended the powerplay with a score of 18/5. Paul Walter and Aamer Jamal added 107 runs for the sixth wicket.

Despite Aamer Jamal’s contribution, Zalmi fell short by 29 runs in the match. Jamal scored 87 runs off 49 deliveries, including 8 boundaries and 6 sixes. Shadab Khan was the pick of the bowlers for United, taking three wickets for 41 runs in his four allocated overs.

Back My Decision To Bowl First – Babar Azam

Babar Azam defended his decision to bowl first, citing the ease of chasing in the second innings. He highlighted the positives in their bowling performance, noting improved execution compared to the previous game.

“I back my decision to bowl first. Here second innings is always chaseable and whatever cricket we have played here, it is good to chase. And after 6 overs, it is easy to play spinners. We have a lot of positives even in bowling, there were short spells which were good. We executed things which we did not do in the last game. It’s so cold tonight,” Babar Azam said.

Also read: Babar Azam vs Mohammad Rizwan! Saim Ayub names his favorite opening partner