LAHORE: Peshawar Zalmi won the toss and chose to bowl first against Quetta Gladiators in the 17th match of the Pakistan Super League 10th edition (PSL X) at Qaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Sunday.
Zalmi have lost three of their four matches this season and secured their only win over Multan Sultans. All eyes have been on Zalmi skipper Babar Azam, who has been consistently performing in PSL X, in Sunday’s encounter against Gladiators.
Zalmi said it was “time to shine” in a post on Instagram as their skipper said they were going in with a clear approach.
“Our approach is clear — smart cricket, sharp mindset, and full fight,” Azam said after winning the toss. “Every moment, every move, with one goal in mind.”
Gladiators, on the other hand, draw confidence from their solid 80-run win over Zalmi in the PSL X opener, which gives them a psychological edge in Sunday’s encounter.
However, the Saud Shakeel-led side has failed to maintain consistency since their win against Zalmi and secured a narrow victory against Karachi Kings by defending a modest total of 142.
Fans anticipated a tough battle between Gladiators’ superior bowling line-up and Zalmi’s hard-hitting batsmen.
SQUADS
Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Mohammad Haris, George Linde, Mohammad Ali, Hussain Talat, Nahid Rana, Abdul Samad, Arif Yaqoob, Mehran Mumtaz, Sufiyan Muqeem, Najibullah Zadran, Ali Raza, Maaz Sadaqat, Mitchell Owen, Ahmed Daniyal, Alzarri Joseph, Ihsanullah
Quetta Gladiators: Saud Shakeel (c) Finn Allen, Faheem Ashraf, Mark Chapman, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Amir, Rilee Rossouw, Akeal Hossein, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Khawaja Nafay, Usman Tariq, Haseebullah Khan, Khurram Shahzad, Kyle Jamieson, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Zeeshan, Danish Aziz, Kusal Mendis and Sean Abbott
PSL X: Peshawar Zalmi lock horns with Quetta Gladiators at Lahore’s Qaddafi Stadium
https://arab.news/mupc2
PSL X: Peshawar Zalmi lock horns with Quetta Gladiators at Lahore’s Qaddafi Stadium
- Zalmi have lost three of their four matches this season and secured their only win over Multan Sultans
- Gladiators, on the other hand, draw confidence from their solid 80-run win over Zalmi in PSL X opener
DP World ILT20 stars power UAE’s spirited campaign at ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
- Sharafu’s 145-run haul, Waseem’s captain’s knock and Siddique’s 5/35 underline the DP World ILT20’s growing impact on UAE cricket
- Aryansh Sharma emerges as UAE’s breakout star, showcasing the strength of the DP World ILT20 pathway
DUBAI: The UAE’s participation at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 may have ended at the group stage on Feb. 18, but their competitive performances have underlined the steady rise of the national side on the global stage in recent years.
Across four high-intensity group matches, the UAE demonstrated composure against some of the most established teams in world cricket. Central to that progress was the influence of the DP World ILT20, whose environment has prepared UAE players to compete fearlessly against the sport’s biggest names.
Leading from the front was captain Muhammad Waseem. The MI Emirates player’s 66 off 45 balls against New Zealand — his highest score of the tournament — was a statement knock against elite opposition. The innings echoed the form that saw him secure the coveted Blue Belt as Best UAE Player for a fourth consecutive season in the DP World ILT20, where he amassed 370 runs in 13 innings as MI Emirates reached the Season 4 final.
Alishan Sharafu, who represents Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, emerged as the UAE’s leading run-scorer in the tournament. He compiled 145 runs in four matches, including a composed 55 off 47 against the New Zealand — his highest score. Sharafu was one of four UAE players to register a half-century in the tournament.
The bowling unit, too, carried a strong DP World ILT20 imprint. Junaid Siddique, who secured a high-value contract with Sharjah Warriorz at the historic Season 4 Player Auction, produced the tournament’s standout performance for the UAE. His sensational 5 for 35 against Canada at the Arun Jaitley Stadium dismantled the opposition and earned him player of the match honors.
Siddique finished as the UAE’s highest wicket-taker with seven scalps, capping a campaign that validated his status as one of the league’s premium signings.
Meanwhile, Haider Ali and left-arm pacer Muhammad Jawadullah — both regular features for Dubai Capitals — brought discipline and control to the attack, reinforcing the depth fostered within the league ecosystem. Also featuring in the UAE squad were Mayank Kumar of Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Muhammad Farooq of Dubai Capitals, and Rohid Khan of MI Emirates.
Beyond the established names, the tournament also unveiled exciting prospects. Twenty-one-year-old Aryansh Sharma produced a defining moment with an unbeaten 74 in the five-wicket win over Canada, guiding the chase with poise and composure. Sohaib Khan emerged as the team’s third-highest run-getter with 132 runs, including a fluent 68 off 48 deliveries against Afghanistan national cricket team. These are players who will undoubtedly attract attention ahead of the DP World ILT20 Season 5 Player Auction.
The broader takeaway from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is the steady evolution of UAE cricket, with the Emirates side underlining how the DP World ILT20 is increasingly shaping players for the global stage rather than remaining just a domestic showcase.
