Babar Azam misses PSL game between Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United due to fever, Tom Kohler-Cadmore to lead Peshawar
Babar Azam (Source – Twitter)
Pakistani skipper Babar Azam has been ruled out of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) match between Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United. He is not part of the playing XI against Islamabad due to a fever. New Zealand’s Tom Kohler-Cadmore is the stand-in captain of Peshawar in Babar’s absence.
Babar was in great form in the previous two matches he played as he scored his first PSL century against the Quetta Gladiators on Wednesday. He also scored 73 runs in the next match against Multan Sultans as Peshawar crossed the 240-run mark in both games. However, Babar’s performance went in vain as Peshawar lost both matches despite setting up big totals in both games.
Peshawar coming after back-to-back losses
Peshawar scored a mammoth total of 240 runs for the loss of 2 wickets in their 20 overs against Quetta. Babar got out after scoring magnificent 115 runs off just 65 balls. He smashed 15 fours and three sixes during the inning. The 28-year-old also put up an opening partnership of 162 runs with Saim Ayub in 13.3 overs. Ayub smashed 74 runs off 34 deliveries hitting six fours and five sixes.
However, this wasn’t enough for Peshawar as Jason Roy completely overshadowed Babar’s innings with an unbeaten knock of 145 runs off just 63 balls. The English opener smashed 20 fours and five sixes as the Gladiators chased the winning total with 8 wickets and 10 balls remaining.
In the next match against Multan, Babar and Ayub again provided the firing start for Peshawar by adding 134 runs before the loss of the first wicket. Babar was the top scorer again as he got out after scoring 73 runs off 39 balls with nine fours and two sixes, while Ayub scored 58 off 33 balls hitting five fours and four sixes. Peshawar again posted a big total as they scored 242 runs for the loss of 6 wickets.
But this time also, Peshawar couldn’t defend it as Rilee Rossouw turned out to be the hero for the Sultans. The South African smashed 121 runs off 51 balls including 12 fours and eight sixes. Multan chased the target losing 6 six with five balls remaining.
