PSL 9: Saim Ayub shatters Haider Ali’s T20 record

• Saim Ayub became the youngest Pakistani to hit 100 sixes.
• He surpassed teh previous record held by Haider Ali.
• United will face off against Multan Sultans in the final tonight.

Saim Ayub, a Pakistani cricketer who played for Peshawar Zalmi in the ninth season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), has made history by becoming the youngest Pakistani player to hit 100 sixes in T20 cricket.

This remarkable achievement was accomplished in yesterday’s Eliminator 2 match against Islamabad United.

At the age of just 21 years and 297 days, Ayub broke the previous record set by Haider Ali, who reached this milestone at 22 years and 259 days old.

In the current PSL season, Saim has hit the most sixes, with a total of 21 sixes in 11 innings.

The youngest Pakistani players to hit 100 T20 sixes

Saim Ayub – 21 years, 297 days

Haider Ali – 22 years, 259 days

Shadab Khan – 24 years, 30 days

Azam Khan – 24 years, 42 days

It’s worth noting that Islamabad United defeated Peshawar Zalmi by five wickets in Eliminator 2.

Imad Wasim and Haider Ali put together a 98-run partnership for the sixth wicket after United were struggling at 91/5 in their chase of 186.

Imad scored his season’s first half-century, remaining not out on 59 off 40 balls, while Haider hit a quick 52 off 29 balls, including five sixes and two fours.

United had a rough start to their chase, losing three wickets in the first four overs with only 21 runs on the board.

Martin Guptill, the in-form opener, briefly counterattacked, scoring 22 runs in an over against Saim Ayub, before being dismissed by Khurram Shehzad on the last ball of the powerplay. Guptill contributed 34 runs off 21 balls, including five boundaries and a six.

With the score at 50/4 after six overs, Azam Khan joined Imad in an effort to rebuild the innings.

They batted sensibly for about five overs until Luke Wood dismissed Azam (22) on the final ball of the 11th over, slowing United’s recovery. However, Imad and Haider steered them to an exciting victory.

This is United’s first PSL final since 2018, and they will face Multan Sultans on March 18 at the same venue.

Earlier, Saim Ayub’s aggressive 73-run knock, along with Mohammad Haris’ 40, helped Zalmi post a total of 185/5.

Naseem Shah was the pick of the bowlers for United, taking 3/30 in his four overs, while Shadab and Obed McCoy each took a wicket.

United will face off against Multan Sultans in the final on March 18, who also defeated Zalmi in the Qualifier.

This is United’s first PSL final since 2018, while the Sultans will be playing in their fourth consecutive final.

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