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RAWALPINDI: Fakhar Zaman’s explosive knock, followed by Salman Mirza’s four-wicket haul, steered Lahore Qalandars to an emphatic win over Peshwar Zalmi in the rain-shortened encounter of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 here at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing a daunting 150-run target, Peshawar Zalmi crumbled under pressure and could only score 123 for the loss of eight wickets in a match reduced to 13 overs per side with revised playing conditions.
The defeat ended Peshawar Zalmi’s journey in PSL 10, as they failed to reach the playoffs for the first time in the tournament’s history.
Peshawar Zalmi displayed a shambolic batting display in pursuit of a big total as the scorecard read 42-4 in 5.3 overs. Salman Mirza dismantled the Zalmi top-order with a fiery spell.
Saim Ayub was hit wicket in the second over after scoring eight runs off seven balls. Soon after, Mohammad Haris and Max Bryant were removed on successive deliveries.
Captain Babar Azam, who scored only 16 runs, struggled as he was caught out by Abdullah Shafique from a delivery by Sikandar Raza, significantly hurting Peshawar Zalmi’s chances of staying in the tournament.
Maaz Sadaqat (4), Abdul Samad (17), and Luke Wood (0) were dismissed in quick succession, leaving Zalmi at a challenging 63-7.
The tailenders put up some resistance, with Daniel Sams contributing 26 runs and Ahmed Daniyal adding 24 runs, but ultimately, it was too little, too late for Peshawar Zalmi.
They eventually managed to score 123-8, falling 26 runs short.
For Lahore Qalandars, Salman Mirza picked up for wickets for 31 runs in three overs. Captain Shaheen Afridi grabbed two wickets for 19 runs in his two overs.
Earlier, Lahore Qalandars posted 149 for the loss of eight wickets in a match reduced to 13 overs per side with revised playing conditions.
The Qalandars came out firing on all cylinders, smashing 49 in the first three overs. Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Naeem led the onslaught, smashing 10, 21 and 18 runs respectively.
Naeem was eventually dismissed in the fourth over after scoring 22 off 10 balls, striking three fours and a six. The wicket, however, did not stem the flow of runs as Qalandars continued to pile on the misery.
Lahore Qalandars were cruising at 80 in 5.5 overs before Ali Raza dismissed Abdullah Shafique, who perished on 4 runs. Meanwhile, Fakhar Zaman reached a half-century in the process.
Kusal Perera joined Fakhar and forged a brief stand before getting dismissed after scoring 17 off 8 balls. Lahore Qalandars couldn’t capitalise on the brisk start as Peshawar Zalmi returned strongly, reducing Qalandars to 149-8 in 13 overs.
Fakhar Zaman top-scored with 60 off 36 balls with the help of seven fours and three sixes.
For Peshawar Zalmi, Daniel Sams, Ali Raza, and Ahmed Daniyal bagged two wickets each.
PLAYING XIs:
Lahore Qalandars: Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Naeem, Abdullah Shafique, Kusal Perera (wk), Sikandar Raza, Shakib Al Hasan, Asif Ali, Shaheen Afridi (cap), Salman Mirza, Zaman Khan, Haris Rauf
Peshawar Zalmi: Mohammad Haris (wk), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam (cap), Max Bryant, Maaz Sadaqat, Abdul Samad, Daniel Sams, Luke Wood, Mohammad Ali, Ahmed Daniyal, Ali Raza
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