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Islamabad United were cruising in a chase of 202 and then came the leg-spin and with a bit of magic.
ESPNcricinfo Staff
At the end of 17 overs, Islamabad United were 173 for 3 chasing 202. And then the biggest boost of their innings fell. Azam Khan walked out for 75 off just 30 balls, leaving room for a new hero to emerge.
Arif Yaqoob, 29, playing only his 15th T20, produced absolute magic, picking up four wickets in a leg-spin. ESPNcricinfo recorded this change in momentum using its Forecaster tool: In just those six balls, Peshawar Zalmi’s chances of winning skyrocketed from 37% to 91%. That’s how it all played out.
We started at the 18th, when the first domino fell.
17.6 Naveen-ul-Haq to Azam Khan, OUT
Gotim! Good length, leaning towards middle, Azam floats and doesn’t cross the line, Babar Azam on middle takes a brilliant catch under pressure. It is truly a fabulous catch and Peshawar is back in the competition. Azam Khan will feel gutted with himself for not doing the job. He was fooled by the hard pitch and lost form as he tried to crush it on middle.
Azam Khan v Babar Azam b Naveen-ul-Haq 75 (30b 6×4 6×6) SR: 250
18.1 Arif Yaqoob to Munro, OUT
Crowd roars as Peshawar chooses another! Another set batter departs in quick succession! Yaqoob bowls beautiful, slow, baffling and tantalizing bowling that never came to him; Munro insolently tries to crush it for a long time and is hit by the beautiful cunning, spins and completely ruins it as he prances around the track. Haseebullah, with sharp gloves, removes the bails in an instant and Munro has to make the long walk back to the pavilion. He’s proving to be another nail-biter!
Colin Munro st †Haseebullah Khan b Arif Yaqoob 71 (53b 7×4 1×6) SR: 133.96
18.2 Arif Yaqoob to Faheem, 1 run
Well thrown, not afraid to pull it up and give it flight, gets a decent amount of spin towards middle and leg, trims the pads back square.
18.3 Arif Yaqoob to Haider Ali, OUT
TAKEN IN DEEP MIDWICKET! Zalmi is on fire. He throws a delicious legbreaker away from the off position, tries to throw it down the leg side and it just doesn’t go far enough. A major plot twist! Islamabad United collapses like a house of cards. This is not sensible batting by any means, everyone has been trying to swing frantically from the first ball.
Haider Ali c Mohammad Haris b Arif Yaqoob 0 (1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0
18.4 Arif Yaqoob to Imad Wasim, 1 free leg
Floating a legbreaker that has more twists than a mystery novel, Imad reverses his stance and tries to connect and uses it on his pads.
18.5 Arif Yaqoob to Faheem, OUT
This is Islamabad madness! Attempting an unconventional reverse sweep and making a poor aiming shot. Luke Wood took a few steps to the left of him and put it away comfortably. Yaqoob running everywhere full of joy! More was expected from Faheem, who has extensive experience in international cricket, but his shot selection is poor and injudicious by the Islamabad stalwart. Meanwhile, Arif Yaqoob gets a fife! Watch him go, the euphoria evident on his face.
Faheem Ashraf c sub (DR Mousley) b Arif Yaqoob 1 (2b 0x4 0x6) SR: 50
18.6 Arif Yaqoob to Hunain Shah, OUT
What’s going on out there! Hunain kneels and performs a powerful blow. The ball hangs in the air for a moment, but goes straight to Rovman Powell, who catches it brilliantly with his big hands. Suddenly there is chaos! Yaqoob continues to produce magic in a match-twirling spell
Hunain Shah c Powell b Arif Yaqoob 0 (1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0
Needing 21 to win in the last two overs, with six wickets in hand, United fell to a defeat that few would have imagined. Arif Yaqoob was responsible for it. Nine days ago no one knew about him. Now his name is illuminated