ISLAMABAD: In an electrifying showdown at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Peshawar Zalmi clinched their spot in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) playoffs, decimating Quetta Gladiators with a whopping 76-run victory.
Zalmi’s formidable total of 196 was too much for Quetta, who crumbled to 120, ensuring Zalmi’s unprecedented streak of playoff appearances in all nine of the PSL editions. After clinching the victory in 17.5 overs, Zalmi became the second team this season to qualify for the next stage of the tournament.
Peshawar, after being invited to bat first, got off to a robust start. Despite Mohammad Amir’s tight first over, Babar Azam and Saim Ayub quickly accelerated, forging a 46-run partnership for the opening wicket. Saim aggressively targeted Sohail Khan in the fourth over but fell to him after a brisk 30, caught by Abrar Ahmed.
Mohammad Haris then partnered with Babar, jointly adding 47 runs before Haris was run out by a sharp throw from Rilee Rossouw. Haseebullah and Tom Kohler-Cadmore followed, contributing quick runs, with Cadmore particularly aggressive against Mohammad Hasnain. Babar notched his fourth PSL 9 half-century, but was soon out lbw to Akeal Hosein, ending his 53-run innings.
Hosein continued his impressive spell, achieving the first PSL hat-trick of the season by dismantling Zalmi’s lower order. Despite this, Rovman Powell and Naveen-ul-Haq’s late partnership propelled Zalmi to 196-8. Hosein, with four wickets, was Quetta’s standout bowler.
In pursuit of 197, Quetta matched Zalmi’s opening stand with Saud Shakeel and Jason Roy’s 46-run partnership. However, Peshawar’s bowlers, led by Mehran Mumtaz and Khurram Shahzad, triggered a collapse.
Saim Ayub’s double-wicket over added to Quetta’s woes, with key players falling cheaply.
Despite some resistance from the lower order, Quetta’s innings folded quickly, handing Zalmi a commanding win. Mehran, Khurram, and Saim, along with Luke Wood, shared the wickets, ensuring Zalmi’s dominant performance secured their playoff spot.
