Imagine being proved wrong once and then again. The Pakistan selectors went through that for a second instanceon Sundaynight.

Sharjeel Khan was deemed not good enough to be in Pakistan's T20 squad for the Asia Cup as well as the World T20 to be held in India next month.

The 26-year-old limited-overs specialist had nonchalantly responded to that by clubbing an unbeaten 79 in Islamabad United's eight-wicket triumph over the Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Sharjah.

And a little over 10 days after that knock the southpaw reminded the men who matter that they perhaps erred in not picking him.

Quite fittingly the man from Hyderabad Sind province couldn't have chosen an even better stage than this to do it.

Up against the popular Shahid Afridi-led Peshawar Zalmi in the third qualifying play-off opener Sharjeel strode majestically into the record books by firing the first ever century of the PSL.

Sharjeel displayed oodles of composure and his talent in ample measure to construct a blistering 117 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. They say when one is in the zone there is no stopping them and Sharjeel was in the midst of one.

As he reached the milestone he was congratulated by Afridi and there couldn't have nothing better than the Pakistan T20 captain's approval. Going by the knock Sharjeel may well have opened the door again and could be a shoe-in for the Asia Cup as well as the World T20.

Islamabad United's innings revolved around that as they went on to lay down the marker at 176 for three in their 20 overs.

Peshawar Zalmi opener Kamran Akmal came out with all guns blazing and that set up for an interesting prospect.

Islamabad United captain Misbah-ul-Haq ever so meticulously rung in the changes by cleverly mixing it up with the pace of Mohammad Irfan andSaturdaynight's hero Mohammad Sami's as well as the slow of leg spinner Samuel Badree and left-arm spinner Imran Khalid.

And Misbah was rewarded with Badree getting the breakthrough after having troubled England Lions' Dawid Malan with his guile.

The 33-year-old Khalid too answered the call with the wicket of Mohammad Hafeez. Akmal though had stayed rooted at the other end having made his way to 45 from 32 balls with five boundaries and two sixes.

But Khalid who eventually finished with four wickets cut Akmal's innings short with the catch taken by wicketkeeper Brad Haddin. Journeyman Brad Hodge was Khalid's next followed by Darren Sammy after which the impressive Andre Russell disturbed Shahid Yousuf's timber.

Irfan who was attacked by Akmal early on returned to tick off Wahab Riaz after which Sami accounted for Hasan Ali.

At 105 for eight there was no guessing which side the fixture was headed. But then there still was a man called Shahid Afridi there in the middle. His returns were meagre right through the competition and this situation was perfectly set up for him to make a statement.

And Afridi did provide that flicker with four big ones and two boundaries from his blade to keep Peshawar Zalmi interested in the chase. But only just as going for another big hit 'Boom Boom' could only send Russell down Smith's throat.

That was that and the fans slowly started making their way towards the exit and two balls later Zalmi too had done so from the competition.

Brief scores:

Islamabad United: 176 for 3 in 20 overs(Sharjeel Khan 117 Khalid Latif 28 n.o Shaun Tait 2-35)beat Peshawar Zalmi: 126 all out in 18 overs(Kamran Akmal 45 Shahid Afridi 38 Imran Khalid 4-20 Andre Russell 3-37)by 50 runs.