Watch: Mohammad Haris trumped Shaheen Shah Afridi in a thrilling powerplay battle, nailing a scoop off the Lahore Qalandars captain for six as Peshawar Zalmi claimed the early initiative in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Eliminator today (March 17).

Shaheen was fired up, and launched a pair of rapid return throws into the wicketkeeper, with Haris ducking for cover. But when it mattered he kept his eye on the ball, landing some valuable blows for Peshawar Zalmi early in the contest.

After three boundaries flowed in the first seven balls, Lahore Qalandars struck back when Zaman Khan bowled Saim Ayub, breaching his defences as the ball kept low. But Haris immediately signalled his intent, flicking his second ball wide of the keeper for four runs.

Better was to follow. After Babar Azam gave Haris the strike against Shaheen, Haris moved across his stumps and played a stunning scoop-ramp to his first ball bowled by the left-armer. The shot flew over fine leg for six. Two balls later Shaheen lost his line and was tickled fine for four, and with another pair of boundaries – albeit one off a drop – coming in his next over.

It seemed as if the pressure was getting to Shaheen, with the Pakistan star firing in two return throws to the keeper with Haris well within his ground. That didn’t stop the batter taking evasive action, perhaps reasoning that it was better to be safe than sorry.

He went on to bring up a 28-ball half-century as Peshawar Zalmi put up 100 inside 11 overs. Earlier this tournament, Shaheen broke Haris’ bat and smashed his stumps in a sensational one-two punch. This time, it was Haris who came out on top.

Watch the Mohammad Haris six and the Shaheen Shah Afridi return throw below:

This shot has its own fanbase 😍#SabSitarayHumaray l #HBLPSL8 I #LQvPZ pic.twitter.com/CSTxl5ku6O

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 17, 2023

Temperatures are high 🌡️#SabSitarayHumaray l #HBLPSL8 I #LQvPZ pic.twitter.com/kprVRjd4jw

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 17, 2023