Iftikhar and Sufiyan Make PSL History as Peshawar Zalmi Spinners Demolish Hyderabad Kingsmen

KARACHI: In a clinical display of spin bowling, Peshawar Zalmi’s Iftikhar Ahmed and Sufiyan Muqeem etched their names into the PSL 11 record books during Match 15 at the National Stadium. 

For the first time this season, two bowlers from the same franchise claimed four-wicket hauls in a single innings. This left the Hyderabad Kingsmen’s batting lineup in tatters.

The demolition job began with the veteran Iftikhar Ahmed, who turned back the clock to record his career-best T20 figures. Extracting sharp turn and bounce, Iftikhar’s spell of 4/21 dismantled the Kingsmen’s middle order just as they looked to accelerate. 

Not to be outdone, young left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem provided the perfect foil from the opposite end. His prized scalp of the well-set Kusal Perera (58) proved to be the turning point. This triggered a collapse from which the debutant franchise never recovered.

Muqeem’s variations and clever changes in pace bamboozled the lower order, finishing with impressive figures of 4/32. The duo accounted for eight of the ten wickets to fall, marking a rare statistical milestone where two bowlers dominated an entire innings so convincingly.

The Kingsmen, who were restricted to a sub-par 145, now face the daunting task of defending a low total against a rampant Zalmi outfit. 

For Peshawar, the dual-threat of Iftikhar and Muqeem has not only secured a psychological edge but has also set a high benchmark for bowling partnerships in the ongoing tournament.