Despite Rawalpindi’s well-earned reputation as a bowler’s graveyard, it seemed as if Peshawar Zalmi would defend 180 to win with ease. They struck regularly to reduce Islamabad United to 111-8 in the 16th over, and it seemed as if the game was done.

However, Faheem Ashraf has made a habit of seeing his side over the line from unlikely positions in the PSL this season, and he went about dragging his side back into the game. With 50 needed from the last three overs, he smashed Aamer Jamal for six, four and six in consecutive balls to reduce the equation significantly.

Another six in the next over, and a boundary from Mohammad Wasim Jr., meant that Islamabad United needed 21 runs from the final six balls. When Faheem hit the second of those for six, leaving 14 needed off four, the game was in the balance. But Shahzad trusted in his yorkers, smashing the base of off-stump twice in two balls. In an instant, the game was done.

The result confirmed that Peshawar Zalmi would play Islamabad United in the first play-off game of this season’s PSL, and perhaps struck a psychological blow ahead of that clash.

Watch the two Khurram Shahzad yorkers below:

OH KHAIR! 😳

Just the wicket @PeshawarZalmi needed! #HBLPSL8 I #SabSitarayHumaray | #IUvPZ pic.twitter.com/TIcMzCi3ni

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 12, 2023

And it’s done!

Khurram Shahzad made all the difference for @PeshawarZalmi! #HBLPSL8 I #SabSitarayHumaray | #IUvPZ pic.twitter.com/3SOR6HHhWi

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 12, 2023