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LAHORE: Lahore Qalandars’ fast bowler Haris Rauf hailed Babar Azam as a world-class batter, stating that every bowler wants to take his wicket.
Chasing a modest 130, Peshawar Zalmi comfortably reached the target, losing three wickets in the process with 20 balls to spare.
Peshawar Zalmi faced early setbacks while chasing, losing Saim Ayub on the third ball of the first over. Soon after, Tom Kohler-Cadmore fell to an outstanding delivery from Haris Rauf in the next over, leaving Zalmi in a precarious position at seven for two.
On a pitch that assisted fast bowlers, Lahore Qalandars’ pacers bowled waywardly in the opening overs, allowing Zalmi to capitalize. Mohammad Haris led the charge after an early hiccup as they posted 40 at the end of the fourth over.
Shaheen Afridi dismissed Haris on the last ball of the fourth over, after scoring a spirited 20 off 16 balls, including two sixes in that same over.
At 40-3 in 5 overs, the game looked evenly poised; however, it was Babar Azam and Hussain Talat who took the game away from the Qalandars with a solid 93-run partnership
The duo batted with composure, taking their total past the 100-run mark in the 14th over. Both Babar and Hussain remained unbeaten, ensuring their team’s victory.
Babar scored 56* off 42 balls, hitting seven fours and one six, while Hussain contributed 51 runs off 37 balls, including five fours and a six.
While addressing the media in a post-match press conference, Haris Rauf commented on Babar Azam’s stature, acknowledging the crowd’s support.
“The Lahore crowd has always been phenomenal. It’s the fans’ right to support Babar – he’s a world-class player,” he remarked. Every bowler wishes to get Babar out – he’s that good, ” he added.
When asked about Asif Ali opening the innings, Haris Rauf clarified that it was a decision made by the team management. He also stated that if he were to start batting, then what would the other batters do?
“That was a team management decision. If I start batting, then what are the batters here for?”
While reflecting on the match, Haris admitted that they lost the game because they didn’t have enough runs on the board. The 31-year-old pacer further remarked that his appeal style is emotional, and he is aware of that.
“We lost the game because we couldn’t put up a decent total. Yes, my appeal style is emotional. I’m aware of it. But if anyone has an issue with it, I’ll avoid appealing in the future, ” Haris Rauf concluded.
READ: Babar Azam hails Clinical Execution in Zalmi’s emphatic win over Qalandars
