Quetta Gladiators overpower Peshawar Zalmi to kick off PSL 10

RAWALPINDI: Saud Shakeel’s half-century and Abrar Ahmed’s four-wicket haul steered Quetta Gladiators past Peshawar Zalmi in the second match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 here at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

In their pursuit of a daunting target of 217 runs, Peshawar Zalmi, captained by Babar Azam, was bowled out for just 136, resulting in an 80-run defeat.

Peshawar Zalmi had a rough start, losing their captain Babar Azam for a duck with only three runs on the board, as he was dismissed by Mohammad Amir in the very first over.

Saim Ayub, returning to competitive cricket after an injury, put up a valiant effort, scoring a fifty off 37 balls, but struggled to find stable partners.

The left-handed batsman hit four sixes and three fours during his innings. Hussain Talat added a quick 35 runs off 19 balls, including three sixes.

For the Quetta Gladiators, Abrar Ahmed was the standout performer, taking four wickets for 42 runs in his four overs, while both Mohammad Amir and Usman Tariq claimed two wickets each.

Abrar Ahmed was awarded Player of the Match for his remarkable performance.

Earlier, Finn Allen and Saud Shakeel struck half-centuries to power Quetta Gladiators to 216-3 against Peshawar Zalmi

Peshawar Zalmi skipper Babar Azam invited Quetta Gladiators to bat first after winning the toss, however, the decision backfired, courtesy of Allen and Shakeel’s brilliant strokeplay.

The opening pair smashed 88 runs in 6.5 overs before Sufiyan Muqeem broke the partnership with the prized wicket of Allen, who scored 53 runs from 25 balls, with the help of five boundaries and four sixes.

Hasan Nawaz joined Shakeel, and together, they took the team’s total to 151 inside 16 overs, adding 63 runs for the second wicket. However, both batters fell in quick succession, leaving Quetta Gladiators reeling at 158-3.

Shakeel top-scored for Quetta Gladiators with a 59-run knock from 42 balls, laced with eight boundaries, including two sixes, meanwhile, Nawaz struck 41 off 32.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Kusal Mendis (35) and Rilee Rossouw (21) then joined hands to stitch an unbeaten 58-run stand to take the team’s total to 216-3 in their allocated 20 overs.

For Peshawar Zalmi, Ali Raza, Alzarri Joseph, and Sufiyan Muqeem picked one wicket each.

PLAYING XIs

Quetta Gladiators: Finn Allen, Hasan Nawaz, Kusal Mendis (wk), Saud Shakeel (c), Rilee Rossouw, Shoaib Malik, Faheem Ashraf, Kyle Jamieson, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Amir, Usman Tariq

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris (wk), Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Max Bryant, Mitchell Owen, Hussain Talat, Alzarri Joseph, Mohammad Ali, Sufiyan Muqeem, Ali Raza