Peshawar Zalmi fell short of reaching the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024 final after suffering a heartbreaking five-wicket loss against Islamabad United despite setting a target of 186 runs. The match started well for Peshawar Zalmi. Babar Azam-led Zalmi batted first after losing the toss and managed to post a decent total on the board, thanks to contributions from Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris, Kohler-Cadmore, and Aamer Jamal. However, their bowling attack faltered in the crucial final overs, surrendering the seemingly strong position. This lackluster bowling display in the final stretch left coach Daren Sammy fuming and questioning the team's overall effort.
Peshawar Zalmi out of PSL 2024
The mood was grim at the Peshawar Zalmi press conference following their Eliminator 2 loss in Karachi. Head coach Darren Sammy didn't mince words, expressing his disappointment with the team's performance, particularly their bowling collapse in the later stages.
Things had started brightly for Peshawar. Their bowlers, led by Saim Ayub's two wickets, had put Islamabad United on the back foot. Luke Wood, Mehran Mumtaz, and Khurram Shehzad chipped in with a wicket apiece, dismantling Islamabad's top and middle order. Key batsmen like Alex Hales (1 off 2), Martin Guptill (34 off 21), and Shadab Khan (duck) all fell cheaply. Even the dangerous Azam Khan, who showed signs of aggression, was dismissed by Luke Wood. However, this impressive bowling display came unraveled in the final overs, allowing Islamabad to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Despite a strong bowling performance early on, Peshawar Zalmi's bowlers faltered in the later stages, allowing Islamabad United back into the match. This frustrating collapse prompted coach Darren Sammy to voice his disappointment. He emphasized that simply reaching the playoffs isn't enough, and the team needs to maintain focus throughout the game to secure victory.
Daren Sammy livid after Peshawar Zalmi's ouster from PSL 2024
Peshawar Zalmi coach Sammy wasn't shying away from harsh truths after their playoff exit. In a fiery press conference, he stressed the importance of consistent winning, not just participation. Sammy pointed out that reaching the playoffs nine times in the PSL's history, with only one championship win in 2017, simply isn't enough. He highlighted the success of rival teams like Islamabad, Multan, and Lahore, all boasting two trophies each. In his eyes, these teams have surpassed Peshawar's achievement. Sammy's criticism extended to the team's performance in finals as well. He emphasized the sting of losing three finals compared to their solitary victory in the tournament's second edition. This focus on results showcases Sammy's high expectations for Peshawar Zalmi and his desire to see them consistently challenge for and win championships.
“To be honest, right now being consistent doesn’t mean anything to me without the trophy. You know I think that’s what we look to or aim to get every year. You know 9 play-offs, 1 trophy, that’s not enough. You know Islamabad got 2, Multan got 2, I think Lahore got 2.”
“Everybody surpasses us and we’ve been in the finals 4 times and we’ve always got through the first hurdle. This year again we had two bites of the cherry and we could not move on,”Sammy told reporters after Zalmi's ouster from PSL 2024.
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