Dubai March 9: Former champions Islamabad United showed their true mettle as they scored a comprehensive 28 run win over defending champions Peshawar Zalmi in the latest clash of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Set a stiff 183 run target, the Zalmi batsmen failed to cope with the United spin twins of Samit Patel and Zafar Gohar as they subsided to a heavy defeat and a low fifth spot on the points table.

United on the other hand have now reached the top of the table after their stunning show of form which has seen them record four consecutive wins in the competition after a slow start.

Patel started the slide for Zalmi by sending back opener Kamran Akmal, he ran through the top and middle order as experienced batsmen Andre Fletcher, Dwanye Smith and Mohammad Hafeez fell to poorly executed shots.

Zafar joined in the fun taking two wickets in his first over as Zalmi faced the prospect of a heavy defeat and serious damage to their net run-rate.

Wahab Riaz capped off a fine all-round show by a responsible innings of 33, he was well supported by tail- ender Umaid Asif who scored 25 runs.

Zalmi ended their innings at 154 for nine handing United a comfortable win and two points which took them to the top of the table with Multan Sultans now pushed down to the second spot.

Earlier, United made full use of a batting strip by posting a 182 run total that was built around an unbeaten 73 by opener JP Duminy who also won the Man-of-the-Match award.

The left-hander played second fiddle to Luke Ronchi (27) in a 39 run opening stand but cut loose after his departure through a series of blazing shots.

Duminy’s innings included four sixes and six fours and came off only 54 balls.

Duminy added 61 for the second wicket with Hussain Talat who scored 29 runs off 24 balls.

After Shadab Khan’s departure for a duck, Asif Ali joined hands with Duminy in a scintillating 71 run alliance off only 34 balls.

Asif struck four towering sixes and a couple of fours in his rapid fire 24 ball knock.

Wahab Riaz was the lone ranger for Zalmi taking three wickets for only 30 runs in a fiery spell of pace bowling in which he got the timber twice to dismiss Hussain and Asif.