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KARACHI: Babar Azam’s unbeaten century, Kusal Mendis’s gutsy 83, and a disciplined bowling effort powered Peshawar Zalmi to a massive 118-run victory over Quetta Gladiators in the 29th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 here at the National Bank Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing 257, Quetta Gladiators were bowled out for 137 in 18.1 overs.
Quetta Gladiators were in trouble right from the onset as Peshawar Zalmi removed their three batters inside the powerplay. Saud Shakeel (12), Rilee Rossouw (0), and Hassan Nawaz (5), all three batters, were dismissed cheaply.
The fourth batter to fall was Shamyl Hussain after the power play. The left-hander made 21 from 18 balls.
With 45-4, Dinesh Chandimal and Bevon Jacobs tried to stop the slide, adding a brief 29 run for the fifth wicket.
However, following Chamdimal’s dismissal, Quetta Gladiators’ innings unraveled quickly as they slumped to 82-7 at the halfway mark.
Bevon Jacobs remained the top-scorer for them, hitting three sixes in his 34 from 27 balls, while Alzarri Joseph remained unbeaten on 19 from 15 deliveries.
For Peshawar Zalmi, Ali Raza and Mohammad Basit shared six wickets between them.
Earlier, Babar Azam’s sublime century guided Peshawar Zalmi to their highest total against.
Put into bat first, Peshawar Zalmi ended their innings on a massive 255-3 in 20 overs — the third highest total of PSL history.
The foundation for a big total was laid in the first over by Mohammad Haris, who accumulated 23 from Jahandad Khan’s opening over.
In the very next over, Alzarri Joseph sent back dangerous Haris, who made 16 from six balls.
The wicket, the highest run getter of this season, Kusal Mendis, was brought to the crease, who forged a mammoth 135-run partnership from 75 balls. The pair made a mockery of the Quetta Gladiators’ bowling attack.
Both batters notched up half-centuries with Peshawar Zalmi reaching 165 in 14.1 overs. The stand eventually culminated with Mendis’ wicket, who was caught after scoring 83 from 44 balls, striking three sixes and 10 fours.
Meanwhile, Babar continued on his merry way, first adding a brief 24-run partnership with Farhan Yousaf, who made 19 from eight balls.
Peshawar Zalmi were well placed at 189-3 in 16.2 overs with Aaron Hardies providing the innings with a late impetus. The Australian batter scored 26* off 10, hitting three sixes.
Meanwhile, Babar completed his 12th century in T20 cricket on the final ball of the innings. He made 100* from 52 balls, striking four sixes and six boundaries.
For Quetta Gladiators, Alzarri Joseph, Usman Tariq, and Abrar Ahmed took one wicket each.
READ: Hasan Ali confident of Karachi Kings’ comeback in PSL 11
