ISLAMABAD: Despite fighting half-centuries from Peshawar Zalmi’s Saim Ayub and Tom Kohler-Cadmore, the “Yellow Storm” succumbed to a 40-run defeat at the hands of hometown heroes Lahore Qalandars on Sunday.

The first match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 8 in Lahore kicked off on a high note, with both sides scoring over 200 runs at the Qaddafi Stadium. Batting first, the Qalandars— driven by fiery half-centuries from Fakhar Zaman (96 from 45) and Abdullah Shafique (75 from 41) finished at 241-3 after 20 overs.

However, Zalmi never got the aggressive start they were looking for. Afridi knocked over opener Mohammad Haris’ stumps on the second ball of the innings. In his second over, the Qalandars skipper followed it up with the prized wicket of Zalmi skipper Babar Azam, shattering his stumps in a similar fashion.

Ayub and Kohler-Cadmore rained boundaries on Qalandars, putting on an impressive 91-run partnership for the third wicket. However, fast bowler Haris Rauf came into the attack and dismissed the dangerous Kohler-Cadmore. Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Rovman Powell, and James Neesham scored 24, 20, and 12 respectively, but none stayed around to build a strong partnership with Ayub.

The left-handed batter scored 51 from 34 balls, hitting two sixes and seven fours before departing for the pavilion, deceived off a Rashid Khan delivery.

Zalmi fell 40 runs short of their target at 201/9 at the end of 20 overs, with Lahore skipper Afridi finishing with an impressive 5/40 at the end of his four overs. Zaman Khan finished with 2/28 from three overs while Rauf and Khan took a wicket each.

After three wins from four matches, Qalandars have secured the number three spot on the PSL points table while Zalmi remain at the number five spot with four points from two wins.

Peshawar Zalmi Playing XI: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Haris (wk), Saim Ayub, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Rovman Powell, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Jimmy Neesham, Wahab Riaz, Saad Masood, Arshad Iqbal, Salman Irshad

Lahore Qalandars Playing XI: Fakhar Zaman, Tahir Baig, Sam Billings (wk), Abdullah Shafique, Hussain Talat, Sikandar Raza, Rashid Khan, David Wiese, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan