That is it from us tonight. We had a brilliant game of cricket. A close contest. Not a last ball thriller but it felt like every bit of it the way it ended in the last over. 

Islamabad is a different side with their main players back. Each one of Alex Hales, Shadab Khan and Hasan Ali made a difference in this win. They will now face Lahore Qalandars in Eliminator 2 tomorrow (technically today as it is past midnight already) which promises to be another great battle. We will see you then. This is Shubh Aggarwal signing off. 

Faheem Ashraf is adjudged the Player of the Match for his all-round performance (1/15 in three overs followed by 19* (13))

"The plan was to hit the hard length and I stuck with my plan. Last time we gave away too many wickets towards the end and today the plan was not to give wickets, it's okay even if we play dots but we wanted to take it till the end," he says.

Shadab Khan, the winning captain: "Alex Hales is one of the best players in the world and I keep telling the youngsters to learn from these quality players. I thought of sending Hasan Ali in the end, but the assistant coach told me that Dawson should go. We did struggle a little in the group stages and players missing out, but glad we ended up on the winning note tonight."

Wahab Riaz, the losing captain: "We didn't bowl according to the plan and also sloppy in the field. The total was defendable. We were one of the best sides in PSL and it is a team to watch basically. We were in 4 finals. The local players in the Zalmi squad is our strength. I always believe there should be good mix of youth and experience."

Liam Dawson walks in to bat and he is like what is the fuss about. He follows the six with a four past the short fine-leg and it's all done. Islamabad win by five wickets and three balls to spare. Islamabad goes through. Peshawar is knocked out despite playing excellent cricket. 

SEALED THE DEAL. 📝 #HBLPSL7 l #LevelHai l #PZvIU pic.twitter.com/OToJzcqEa5

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 24, 2022

Oh, what is happening in this game. The first ball wicket from Howell is retorted by a first ball six from Liam Dawson. He stays on the back foot and thumps it over mid-wicket. He picked it like he read in the newspaper this morning that Howell will bowl him exactly there. 4 runs, 4 balls. 

Benny Howell strikes first ball. Azam Khan shuffles towards the off stump and swings his bat across the line. Absolutely no pace offered by Howell. That is a gutsy knuckle ball that has done the batter. Azam Khan is nowhere near the ball and is hit on the back leg. The umpire lifts the dreaded finger right away. Azam sends the decision upstairs but all it confirms is that it was plumb. 10 runs, 5 balls. 

Azam lbw b Howell 28 (22)

alright, we are in the last over. We promised you a cracker and it is a cracker of a contest indeed. Islamabad need 10 to win in the last over with Azam Khan and Faheem Ashraf at the crease. Peshawar pin their hopes on Benny Howell. He is playing his first match of the season. But at the same time, he is one of the most experienced T20 bowlers around.

Life is tough being a bowler. Wahab Riaz has a clear strategy of bowling wide of the crease to keep it away from Azam Khan's arc. However, there is a fine line between bowling wide and conceding wides. Umpire Aleem Dar adjudged back-to-back deliveries wides, forcing Wahab to bowl at the stumps. 

The length has been a problem for Wahab tonight. As he bowls closer to Azam, he deposits it over long-on for a six. Cracking stroke. 

Two overs left. Islamabad need 22 runs. Peshawar have an over each of Wahab Riaz, the skipper and Benny Howell who has a box of magic tricks in terms of his variations. Criclytics give Peshawar 52% chances while Islamabad stands at 44%. It is close indeed. 

Salman Irshad misses the length on this occasion. While he misses, Azam Khan hits it as clean as a whistle. Slot ball given the right treatment. Islamabad now need 25 off 16.

Oh no, skipper!! This is "hit me" delivery. Right under the bat. Faheem smokes it over the cow corner to add six more to the total. That is 11 runs from three deliveries including the wide that preceded the six.

Salman Irshad conceded only 5 runs in the previous over. Here, Wahab Riaz has begun the new over on a poor note, serving a slot ball to Faheem Ashraf. The left-handed batter thumps it straight over the mid-off for four. 

Salman Irshad is putting on a show. You can't execute the yorker length better and Irshad has done it three times in a row. Two balls ago, he had Hales' number. The previous ball, Asif Ali just managed to dig it out. This one goes through the little gap between his legs to clatter into the stumps. Third wicket for Irshad tonight. He has brought his team back in the game. 

Asif Ali b Irshad 7 (6)

KAMAAL YORKER 👌🏼 #HBLPSL7 l #LevelHai l #PZvIU pic.twitter.com/GKRKNNq8a2

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 24, 2022

Too good for Alex Hales. Salman Irshad has shot down the ace batsman's leg-stump with an astonishing yorker. Hales was beaten for pace as well as length. Just the kind of delivery that lifts the spirits from the doldrums. Second wicket for Irshad in as many over. And this was one was totally Malinga-esque!! 

Hales b Irshad 62 (49)

Alex Hales shows what difference he can make to this side. Laden with judicious strokeplay, this has been an excellent innings from him thus far. Banged in short, over leg stump. Hales pulls and the shot yields in a top-edge for six. 

That is fifty for him, off 44 balls. Not his quickest but it only underlines the importance of his presence at the crease. It is also 100 up for Islamabad. 

The lack of boundaries in the last four overs has got to Shadab Khan. Nothing wrong with the intention to build pressure on the new bowler straightaway but there is no timing in the shot. Full and straight from Salman Irshad. Shadab tries to cream it over the mid-off but plays it straight down his throat. A first ball wicket for Irshad. Azam Khan is the new man in. 

Shadab c Wahab b Irshad 22 (17)

FIRST ball wicket for @Salman150kph 👌🏼 #HBLPSL7 l #LevelHai l #PZvIU pic.twitter.com/rY5EFzABMa

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 24, 2022

Only one six in terms of boundaries since the end of the powerplay. Timing the ball hasn't been easy in the second innings here and it's no surprise that runs have dried up for Islamabad. The required run-rate is still under control though. With nine wickets in hand, Islamabad are still well in the game. But one of these two batsmen will need to bat till the end. 

14 runs from the last powerplay over. That makes it 53 for Islamabad during the field restrictions. A good start given they have lost only one wicket. Also, they have solved the mystery behind Ali Majid's bowling action quite quickly. The right-armer conceded only 2 runs in his opening over. But after that, he leaked 26 runs in his other two overs in the powerplay. 

⛈️⛈️#HBLPSL7 I #LevelHai I #PZvIU pic.twitter.com/mPpGSBxwaG

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 24, 2022

Islamabad is a long batting line-up. Peshawar will need continuous wickets to stand a chance. The left-arm spinner Khalid Usman has drawn the first blood for them. Tossed up delivery on the leg stump. Will Jacks is too far across playing the sweep. Bowled! 

Jacks b Usman 11 (8)

It took Alex Hales an over to get used to Ali Majid's action. In the second over, he has found the fence twice - a four and a six. 12 runs off the over. 

Kamran Akmal isn't keeping the wickets. He had some discomfort in his legs during batting and it's Mohammad Haris behind the stumps. He isn't a makeshift wicketkeeper but has missed the chance to get rid of Alex Hales early on. 

Hales is foxed by Ali Majid's wrong-footed action as well as his length. He comes down the track but yorks himself. The ball sneaks under his bat when he is way outside the off-stump. A clean pick-up would have sent him packing but Haris spills the chance. Almost a golden start for both Majid and Peshawar.

When Malik and Talat hammered 21 runs in the 16th over, it seemed Peshawar will post a towering score. However, Islamabad bowlers came back well. They conceded only 41 runs in the final four overs. In the last two overs, there were only 15 runs. 

169 has proven to be enough in Lahore in the last few games but Peshawar might feel they fell 10 runs short given the position they were in. Credits to the old pros, Kamran Akmal and Shoaib Malik for getting them there. 

Islamabad bat deep and will be bolstered by the return of Alex Hales and their skipper Shadab Khan. Fair to say, a cracking second half is on the cards. 

It hasn't been the best of Shoaib Malik in this innings but still a crucial knock. Two runs from the deep mid-wicket pocket take him to his fifty, this one from 41 balls. 

Faheem Ashraf nails the yorker length. Despite bowling five deliveries to the well set Shoaib Malik, he concedes only 5 runs in the over. A much needed over for Islamabad United. 

Scooped straight in the hands. The shot was on. Hussain Talat got under the ball. It appeared as if he has struck it well but the ball falls right in the hands of the short fine-leg. Talat can't believe it. He is distraught and lets out a loud scream. Hasan Ali, showing contrasting emotions, is pleased to break the 56-run stand that took only 26 balls. 

Talat c Mahmood b Hasan 28 (15)

21 from the over. Shoaib Malik kick-started it with a six, followed it with a four and a couple of boundaries from Hussain Talat turn it into the perfect over for Peshawar. Just what they needed at this point of the innings. 

As we said, Shoaib Malik can shift gears in the blink of an eye. First ball after the time-out and he comes down the track to thump Shadab Khan over long-off a maximum. 

Darzi mode ON🔥#HBLPSL7 I #LevelHai I #PZvIU pic.twitter.com/ihVQ5hwUlD

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 24, 2022

Five overs left and we have had action-packed cricket thus far. Kamran Akmal's knock has been the highlight. However, Islamabad are back in the contest with his wicket. A crucial death overs' phase coming up. Shoaib Malik is still there for Peshawar. He has struggled thus far (20* from 26 balls) but he can change shift gears in the blink of an eye. He has Hussain Talat for company right now with Haider Ali and Wahab Riaz waiting in the wings.

Shadab Khan provides the much-needed breakthrough. The shot was on but Kamran Akmal miscues the pull shot. The balance was just not there. Top-edge and the short fine-leg runs towards his left to complete the dismissal.

Akmal c Maqsood b Shadab 58 (39)

First fifty of the season from Kamran Akmal and what a time to bring it up. He has carried this innings thus far, putting Peshawar in a brilliant position. 52* off 34 balls. 

What a stroke that from Kamran Akmal. It's a full delivery and Kamran Akmal is up to the task with his inside out stroke. He jumps out of the crease, reaches the pitch of the ball and creams it over extra cover for a maximum. This is batting of the highest quality. 

Khoobsurat SIX! @KamiAkmal23 is on a mission! #HBLPSL7 I #LevelHai I #PZvIU pic.twitter.com/om5uIQeoay

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 24, 2022

Hasan Ali strikes in his first over. A perfect short ball, rising on the batsman. Yasir Khan pulls but it's only catching practice for Liam Dawson. Peshawar two down. 

Yasir c Dawson b Hasan 8 (12) 

Brilliant batting by Kamran Akmal. He makes room. The ball is turning away from him but Akmal reaches it and thumps it over the extra cover boundary. That's fifty up for Peshawar. 

11 runs off the sixth over make it 46 from the powerplay. And wrist-spin is in the attack straightaway. Its not Shadab Khan yet but Zahid Mahmood.

Could have been two in the over. Athar Mahmood, after bowling a brilliant first over, has dropped a straightforward catch at third-man. Yasir Khan doesn't get the distance with that upper cut. Mahmood gets to the ball and looks set to gobble it up but spills it in the end. Can he make up for it in the next over? 

Mohammad Haris never looked at his fluent best today. He was trying to hit the ball too hard and has perished in the process. Not full enough from Faheem Ashraf to hit over the covers. Haris tries his best to bludgeon it but is undone by the extra bounce. Sliced up to the extra cover. 

Haris c Asif Ali b Faheem 12 (8)

The Red Hot Army strikes 🔥 #HBLPSL7 I #LevelHai I #PZvIU pic.twitter.com/0zJz1XkfEz

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 24, 2022

A brilliant first over on his PSL debut from Athar Mahmood. Kamran Akmal struck him for a boundary off the last ball of the over but Athar had the say on the first five deliveries. He moved the ball in the air and off the deck. Only 5 runs from it. 

What a start by the Peshawar openers. a six from Kamran Akmal, a four from Mohammad Haris, a couple of leg-byes and three singles make it 15 runs off the first over. 

Liam Dawson doesn't correct his line and Kamran Akmal is better prepared on this occasion. Gets his front leg across and out of the way. Picks it up from outside the leg stump and puts it away for a six. Some way to get off the mark. 

The left-arm spinner Liam Dawson bowls the first ball of Eliminator 1. Kamran Akmal misses out on getting bat on the ball but an easy leg-bye to get off the mark for Peshawar. 

Benny Howell is set to make his season debut, replacing Hazratullah Zazai and a few other swaps between local players.

Peshawar Zalmi XI: Mohammad Haris, Yasir Khan, Kamran Akmal (wk), Shoaib Malik, Haider Ali, Benny Howell, Hussain Talat, Wahab Riaz (c), Khalid Usman, Salman Irshad, Ali Majid

As said before, Shadab Khan is back for Islamabad. In addition, Alex Hales has also returned for the Men in Red. Will Jacks will be his opening partner in his first game of the season. 

Islamabad United XI: Alex Hales, Will Jacks, Shadab Khan (c), Azam Khan (wk), Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Liam Dawson, Hasan Ali, Athar Mahmood, Zahid Mahmood, Waqas Maqsood

Overall, 10 changes between the two sides

Peshawar Zalmi have won the toss and they will bat first. The decision was on cards after Lahore's decision to bowl yesterday backfired. Lahore, the venue, has not shown much dew in the second innings of the night games due to which chasing has been difficult with the slowing pitch. 

Hello and welcome to Cricket.com's coverage of Pakistan Super League 2022. The playoffs began yesterday where Multan Sultans defeated Lahore Qalandars to lock their spot in the finals. Tonight, it is about staying alive in the competition. Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United will lock horns in Eliminator 1. It will be the end of the road this season for the losing side while the winners will face Qalandars in Eliminator 2. 

It is supposed to be an exciting contest. Peshawar is the form side winning each of their last four games - the last one after a Super Over. The injury-stricken Islamabad have lost their last three matches but they are supposed to get a massive boost in the form of their captain Shadab Khan supposed to return tonight. With his brilliant all-round show, he has performed the role of two players this season and his return from the groin injury is enough to level this battle despite the events of the recent past. We will update you with the toss and team updates soon.