Zalmi Extend Winning Streak with Commanding Win Over Quetta
KARACHI: A disciplined all-round performance, highlighted by a composed half-century from skipper Babar Azam, powered Peshawar Zalmi to a convincing eight-wicket win over Quetta Gladiators in the 23rd fixture of Pakistan Super League Season 11 at the National Bank Stadium on Wednesday.
With this result, Zalmi registered their sixth victory in seven outings, extending their winning streak to five matches after their previous game against Islamabad United was abandoned.
Chasing a manageable 155, Zalmi made light work of the target, reaching it with eight wickets intact and nine deliveries remaining.
The chase began briskly as Mohammad Haris and Babar stitched together a fluent 75-run opening stand inside nine overs before Haris departed. He contributed a quick 35 off 28 balls, striking five fours and a six.
After his exit, Babar found support from Kusal Mendis, with the pair adding 49 runs to keep the momentum intact. Mendis scored 21 before falling to Alzarri Joseph in the 16th over.
Babar remained in control throughout and guided his side home alongside Aaron Hardie, who chipped in with an unbeaten 18. The duo added an unbroken 32-run stand to seal the victory. Babar finished as the top scorer with a solid 71 not out off 51 deliveries, decorated with 10 boundaries.
For Quetta, Joseph and captain Saud Shakeel claimed one wicket each.
Earlier, Zalmi’s decision to bowl first proved effective as they bundled out Quetta for 154 in their 20 overs.
Quetta’s innings got off to a shaky start when Ahsan Ali fell cheaply in the opening over to Iftikhar Ahmed. Saud Shakeel attempted to rebuild with Rilee Rossouw, adding 35 runs before being run out for 16.
Rossouw then put together another useful stand of 29 runs with Hassan Nawaz, but his stay ended at 28 after being dismissed by Sufiyan Muqeem.
Muqeem struck again to remove Shamyl Hussain, further denting Quetta’s progress. Nawaz tried to stabilize the innings with Khawaja Nafay, but their 26-run stand ended with both batters departing in quick succession, leaving Quetta struggling at 120/6.
Nawaz was the top scorer for his side with 37 off 35 balls, while Nafay added 20.
In the final overs, Zalmi’s bowlers tightened their grip, dismissing the lower order for just 34 more runs despite a brief cameo from Tom Curran.
Muqeem and Abdul Basit were the standout performers with three wickets each, with Muqeem particularly impressive for his economical spell. Iftikhar also contributed with a wicket to cap off a dominant bowling display.
