Zalmi Pull Off Historic 215 Chase to Stun RawalPindiz

Peshawar Zalmi began their Pakistan Super League Season 11 campaign in style, securing a thrilling five-wicket win over RawalPindiz in a high-scoring clash at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.

Chasing a daunting 215-run target, Zalmi crossed the line with five wickets in hand, thanks to key contributions from Babar Azam, Mohammad Haris, Kusal Mendis, Michael Bracewell and Abdul Samad.

Zalmi got off to a flying start as Haris and skipper Babar attacked from the outset, putting together a rapid half-century stand inside the powerplay. Their aggressive intent kept the required rate in check, and the opening partnership grew to 78 before Asif Afridi removed Babar for a fluent 39 off 28 balls.

Haris carried on the momentum with an entertaining 47 off 28 deliveries, but Amad Butt struck to break the rhythm, leaving Zalmi at 96 for 2 at the halfway stage.

Mendis then injected further pace into the chase with a quickfire 31 off 17 balls. He briefly built a partnership with Aaron Hardie, but Hardie struggled to get going and was dismissed for 8 by Rishad Hossain.

Zalmi suffered another setback when Mendis fell to Amad Butt, but the game swung again as Bracewell and Samad launched a counterattack. The pair added crucial runs in quick time, bringing the target within reach.

Samad’s explosive 33 off just 11 balls, featuring four sixes, ended when Mohammad Amir struck back. However, the late surge continued as Aamir Jamal walked in and made an immediate impact, smashing a six off Naseem Shah to ease the pressure.

Zalmi eventually sealed the chase on the first ball of the final over, with Jamal unbeaten on 17 from just five balls, while Bracewell finished with a blistering 35 off 17 deliveries.

Among the bowlers, Amad Butt picked up two wickets but conceded heavily, while Amir, Afridi and Rishad chipped in with one each.

Earlier, RawalPindiz posted a formidable 214 for 4 after being put in to bat. Openers Yasir Khan and captain Mohammad Rizwan provided a dream start, taking advantage of the fielding restrictions and building a commanding opening stand of 125 runs.

Yasir led the charge with a superb 83 off 46 balls, striking boundaries all around the ground, while Rizwan contributed 41 off 32 before being dismissed by Ali Raza, who broke the partnership.

Ali Raza struck again soon after to remove Yasir, halting RawalPindiz’s momentum in the middle overs.

The innings regained pace towards the end as Kamran Ghulam and Daryl Mitchell added valuable runs in a brisk partnership. Ghulam scored 37 before falling to Hardie, while Mitchell made 23 before Jamal dismissed him in the final over.

Sam Billings added late impetus with an unbeaten 18 off 8 balls to push the total beyond 200.

For Zalmi, Ali Raza was the most successful bowler with two wickets, while Hardie and Jamal claimed one each in an overall high-scoring encounter.