KARACHI, Pakistan, CMC – Barbados-born England all-rounder Chris Jordan produced a solid all-round performance but was unable to prevent Islamabad United from lifting the Pakistan Super League title, with a three-wicket victory over defending champion Peshawar Zalmi in yesterday’s final.
Opting for first knock at the National Stadium, Zalmi could only get up to 148 for nine off their 20 overs, with Jordan top-scoring with 36 from 26 balls after being promoted to number four.
Englishman Liam Dawson struck 33 while number 10 Wahab Riaz smashed a pulsating unbeaten 28 off 14 deliveries, and West Indies batsman Andre Fletcher chipped in with 21.
Zalmi were wobbling on 38 for three in the sixth over when Jordan helped revive the innings in a 52-run fourth wicket stand with Dawson.
He struck a four and three sixes but once he holed out to long off in the 13th over, the innings collapsed with six wickets falling for 31 runs.
Captain Darren Sammy was sixth out in the 16th over for six, deceived and trapped lbw by a Shadab Khan googly.
In reply, Man-of-the-Match and Man-of-the-Series, New Zealander Luke Ronchi, top-scored with 52 from 26 balls in a 96-run opening stand off 53 deliveries with Sahibzada Farhan (44), to put Islamabad in command.
Seamer Jordan got rid of Ronchi and then later claimed captain JP Duminy for two to end with two for 22 from three overs, as six wickets perished for 20 runs to leave the game open.
However, Asif Ali blasted three sixes in a six-ball unbeaten 26 to break Zalmi’s hearts.
