Peshawar, August 30, 2025: A spirited fightback led by Inzamam-ul-Haq and Azhar Mahmood wasn’t enough to see Legends XI home, as Peshawar Zalmi held their nerve to clinch a narrow six-run victory in the flood relief exhibition match at the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
Opting to bat, Zalmi appeared well-set after a 50-run opening partnership between skipper Babar Azam (41 off 23) and Yasir Hameed (35 off 18). But once both departed, the innings unraveled.
The experienced spin quartet of Shahid Afridi, Abdur Rehman, Mohammad Hafeez, and Saeed Ajmal ran riot, claiming 10 wickets between them. Only Amir Burki (24 off 8) offered late resistance before the lower order folded. Zalmi were bowled out for 144 in 14.4 overs, with Afridi and Rehman finishing with 3 wickets each.
Chasing 145, Legends XI slumped to 6-3 inside three overs, with Mohammad Irfan and Salman Khan striking early. By the seventh over, they were struggling at 5 down, as Azhar Ali (9), Humayun Farhat (27 off 15), and Younis Khan (2) all fell cheaply.
Just as the contest seemed over, veteran Inzamam-ul-Haq rolled back the years. With clean strikes — including two towering sixes — he, alongside Azhar Mahmood (34 off 14), revived Legends’ hopes. Their 50-run partnership brought the target within touching distance.
However, despite requiring 22 off the final over, Legends fell just short, closing on 138-6. Inzamam remained unbeaten on 46 off 23, his power-hitting reminiscent of his glory days.
For Zalmi, Mohammad Irfan (2 wickets) and Babar Azam (2 wickets) provided the breakthroughs, while Salman Khan and Zulfiqar Babar added one each.
Beyond the cricket, the evening carried a deeper purpose. Organized in collaboration with the Directorate General of Sports KP and the provincial government, the fixture ran under the slogan “Khel Se Khidmat” (Service through Sports), with all proceeds directed towards flood relief and rehabilitation efforts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
