Advertisement
Advertisement
LAHORE: Alzarri Joseph’s fiery bowling spell, followed by a determined half-century from Babar Azam, led Peshawar Zalmi to an emphatic win over Lahore Qalandars in the 14th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 at Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.
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.
For Lahore Qalandars, Shaheen Afridi was the pick of bowlers with two for 22 in his four overs, while Haris Rauf bagged one wicket, giving away 39 runs in his 3.4 overs.
Earlier, Alzarri Joseph’s three-wicket haul helped Peshawar Zalmi bundle out Lahore Qalandars for a modest total.
Peshawar Zalmi skipper Babar Azam won the toss and chose to bowl first, a decision that proved beneficial.
Lahore Qalandars were in early trouble as Zalmi bowlers wreaked havoc with the ball in the opening overs. The new opening pair of Asif Ali and Fakhar Zaman were removed inside the first two overs.
Fakhar Zaman was the first to go after scoring 10 off 8 balls, with the help of two fours. He was castled by Alzarri Joseph. Soon after, Asif Ali was trapped in front of Luke Wood’s bowling after scoring 4 off 6 balls.
Peshawar Zalmi fast bowlers were on a roll on a spicy pitch for fast bowlers, removing Lahore Qalandars’ two more batters, Abdullah Shafique and Daryl Mitchell, in successive overs.
Abdullah failed to open his account, while Mitchell could only manage to score 2 off three deliveries. Both were removed by Joseph and Ali Raza.
Qalandars were reeling at 67-7 in 10.5 overs. However, it was Sikandar Raza’s determined innings that took them to a fighting total.
Sikandar forged a vital partnership with Haris Rauf to lift the home team out of trouble, taking the score above the 100-run mark in the 15th over. Rauf was dismissed after scoring 10 off 14 balls with the help of one four.
Sikandar Raza continued to score runs and was eventually dismissed on the first ball of the penultimate over. His brisk 52 runs off 37 deliveries included three sixes and five fours.
For Peshawar Zalmi, Alzarri Joseph starred with the ball with a three-wicket haul. Luke Wood and Hussain Talat supported him well with two wickets each.
PLAYING XIs
Lahore Qalandars: Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Naeem, Abdullah Shafique, Daryl Mitchell, Sam Billings(w), Sikandar Raza, Shaheen Afridi(c), Rishad Hossain, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan, and Asif Afridi.
Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris (wk), Tom-Kohler Cadmore, Hussain Talat, Mitch Owen, Abdul Samad, Luke Wood, Alzari Joseph, Arif Yaqoob, and Ali Raza.
READ: Moin Khan backs more teams in PSL to boost cricket development
