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LAHORE: Fakhar Zaman’s half-century and Sikandar Raza’s cameo took Lahore Qalandars over the line against Peshawar Zalmi in a high-scoring Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 fixture at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.
Set a massive 200-run target, Qalandars hit the winning runs on the third ball of the final over, losing four wickets in the process.
In pursuit of the chase, the defending champions faced an early setback in the form of Mohammad Naeem, who only managed 10 from eight deliveries.
With Qalandars 21-1 in three overs, Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique put the chase back on track with a 44-run stand in quick time.
Shafique remained the core aggressor, hitting four elegant fours and a six in his 25 off 11 balls. He holed out to deep mid-wicket after the play, leaving Qalandars two down for 65.
However, scratchy Fakhar continued to motor on alongside Charith Asalanka, adding a crucial half-century partnership, bringing the score to 118 in 12.4 overs. The Sri Lankan batter played well for his 33 off 26, including three fours and a six.
Despite Asalanka’s departure, Qalanadrs motored along with Sikandar Raza providing the impetus with an enterprising 29 from only 11 balls. The right-hander took the attack to Ali Raza and Sufiyan Muqeem in the 15th and 16th over, accumulating 18 and 14 runs respectively.
Raza’s innings ended in a bizarre way as he was hit-wicket. Meanwhile, Fakhar nudged singles, incoming Daniel Sams hit a whirlwind 35 off 15, hitting a six and five boundaries, taking his time over the line.
For Peshawar Zalmi, Khurram Shahzad was the pick of the bowlers with one wicket to his name.
Earlier, Babar Azam and Michael Bracewell’s half-centuries lifted Peshawar Zalmi to a strong total against Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.
Asked to bat first, Zalmi piled up 199-4 in their 20 overs.
Qalandars inflicted a poor start on Peshawar Zalmi as they lost James Vince (10) and inform Kusal Mendis (7) inside four overs.
As a result, Zalmi were 43/2 at the end of the power play.
After a shaky start, Babar Azam and Michael Bracewell launched a steady recovery, with the former scoring an anchoring half-century. Meanwhile, Bracewell fully capitalized on the reprieve from Mohammad Naeem on the boundary rope.
The highlight of the stand was boundaries alongside ones and twos that kept the scoreboard ticking.
With Zalmi well poised at 129-2 in 15 overs, Haris Rauf provided his side the much-needed breakthrough with the wicket of Babar, who made 59 from 45 balls with the aid of five fours and a six.
Meanwhile, Bracewell, who was joined by Iftikhar Ahmed, continued on his merry way. The duo added 64 from just 27 balls for the fifth wicket that pushed their score near the 200-run mark. The New Zealand batter hit eight fours and half a dozen maximums in his 83 off 45 before getting bowled in the final over.
On the other hand, Iftikhar scored 27 from 14, including five fours.
For Lahore Qalandars, Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi picked up two wickets.
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