Liam Dawson’s last-ball boundary sealed a thrilling four-wicket win for Peshawar Zalmi in a see-saw Pakistan Super League (PSL) battle against Islamabad United at Dubai.

Birthday boy Dawson remained unbeaten on 52 (35) as Peshawar chased down the target in enthralling fashion to maintain top position in the PSL standings.

Having been set a target of 177, Peshawar openers Kamran Akmal and Andre Fletcher made a blazing start in the powerplay which fetched 58 runs in total and the wicket of the former.

Skipper Shadab Khan struck immediately for Islamabad following the completion of the powerplay with the leg-spinner having the dangerous Fletcher caught-behind for 21.

Shortly after, Shadab pinned his Pakistan team-mate Imam-ul-Haq on the pads to bring Islamabad roaring back into the game before Faheem Ashraf got the better of Umar Amin.

Once Kieron Pollard was stumped off the bowling of Gohar for just one run, Peshawar’s chase had been completely derailed.

However, Liam Dawson slammed three sixes off Faheem Ashraf in the 13th over which leaked 27 runs in total to drag Peshawar right back into the game. Some excellent fielding on the boundary ropes from Islamabad brought the equation for Peshawar ultimately down to 36 required off 18.

Skipper Darren Sammy was given a huge reprieve by a Faheem no-ball in the penultimate over and that proved to be costly for the defending champions as Peshawar sneaked across the finish line.

Earlier, Islamabad made a strong start after being made to bat first despite losing opener Luke Ronchi cheaply.

Having struggled in his side’s previous games with three ducks, Cameron Delport finally found form with the South African registering his first half-century of the tournament.

Delport formed vitals partnerships with Philip Salt and Chadwick Walton who both chipped in with handy cameos as Islamabad looked to be heading towards a score of around 200.

However, once Wahab Riaz dismissed Walton in the 15th over of the innings, the wheels started to come off for Islamabad. The defending champions lost as many as seven wickets in the final four overs with four of them coming in the 20th over bowled by Wahab.

BRIEF SCORES

Islamabad United: 176 all out

Cameron Delport: 71 (55)

Wahab Riaz: 2-20

Peshawar Zalmi: 177-6

Liam Dawson: 52 not out (35)

Darren Sammy: 40 (29)