‘Sleepless’ Wahab Riaz grateful for another chance to get Peshawar Zalmi to PSL final in Lahore

After Tuesday's 'heartbreaking' play-off defeat to Quetta Gladiators, Peshawar Zalmi get another chance to reach Sunday's PSL final in Lahire when they take on Karachi Kings in Dubai on Friday.

Peshawar Zalmi celebrates the dismissal of Mohammad Nawaz of Quetta Gladiators plays a shot during their match against Peshawar Zalmi during the 2nd round of the PSL match at the Dubai International CShow more

DUBAI // Wahab Riaz said he endured a sleepless night after being part of the final-over meltdown in Sharjah on Tuesday that denied Peshawar Zalmi direct passage through to the Pakistan Super League final.

The Pakistan fast-bowler was the second player out when Peshawar lost three wickets needing just two runs off the final three balls against Quetta Gladiators.

He said he was “heart-broken” they failed to get across the line, but at least they have a second chance, via Friday’s final qualifier against Karachi Kings in Dubai.

Wahab is in positive mood that Peshawar can win an eliminator match for the first time in four attempts in the first two PSL tournaments, even if he has had less sleep than usual.

“It was a very tense situation, and in my mind I remembered what happened last year [when Zalmi missed the final by one run], so I really wanted it done by the batsmen,” Wahab said.

“Unfortunately we lost it the same way we lost the last game. I was heart-broken and, to be very honest, could not sleep the whole night.”

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At least the tournament organisers might have been cheered by the fact Peshawar fell short. It meant they had to play one more match in the UAE.

Given they are comfortably the best supported side in this country, with Karachi perhaps the second, it is safe to assume Friday’s meeting at the Dubai International Stadium will be well attended.

Tellingly, as the tournament has got closer to its finale, stars who had misfired at the start of the competition are now starting to make their presence felt.

Wahab himself has been in fine form with the ball in the past two matches, and wants to contribute to getting his side a flight to Lahore for Sunday’s final.

“It is the last game here and we want to finish it on a good note,” Wahab said. “I want to finish on a good note by finishing this semi-final. It is the fourth opportunity we have had in the past two years. These opportunities don’t come again and again, so this is the time to avail it.

“It is going to be hard. Karachi are a good side and it is going to be a nervous game. Let’s see who keeps their nerves calm.”

If Karachi Kings are looking for reasons to believe ahead of the meeting with Peshawar, they might want to consult the short history of the PSL.

Islamabad United won their last five matches to become the first champions last year. Each of Karachi’s past three matches have been must-win, and they have thrived under the pressure. Now they are two more wins from the title.

In the second qualifying final, against Islamabad on Wednesday, they defended an unimpressive total of 126 with ease.

“If you don’t believe, then there is no point,” Imad Wasim, the Karachi left-arm spinner, said. “Whatever the total, you have to defend it.”

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