Gladiators Secure Victory Over Zalmi in PSL 10

LAHORE: Quetta Gladiators achieved a convincing 64-run victory against Peshawar Zalmi in the 17th match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday, thanks to a collaborative batting performance and Faheem Ashraf’s impressive five-wicket haul.

Zalmi’s batting lineup faltered in their pursuit of a 179-run target, managing only 114 runs in 15.2 overs.

Hussain Talat fought valiantly for Zalmi, scoring 39 off 34 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes, before being dismissed by Abrar Ahmed in the 15th over.

Apart from him, only skipper Babar Azam (12), Mohammad Haris (17), and Mitchell Owen (15) reached double figures, highlighting Zalmi’s struggles against the Gladiators’ strong bowling attack.

Faheem was the most successful bowler for the Gladiators, claiming five wickets for 33 runs in 3.2 overs. Khurram Shahzad took two wickets, while Mohammad Amir, Abrar Ahmed, and Mohammad Wasim each took one.

The Gladiators had a steady start to their innings, with openers Finn Allen and Saud Shakeel putting up 46 runs together.

Allen, the more aggressive of the two, was the first to be dismissed, falling to Alzarri Joseph in the fifth over. He scored 31 runs off 16 balls, with four fours and two sixes.

Shakeel then formed another crucial partnership for the Gladiators, adding 45 runs for the second wicket with Rilee Rossouw before Saim Ayub dismissed both batsmen in successive overs, reducing the score to 105/3 in 11.2 overs.

The skipper hit five fours on his way to 32 off 26 balls, while Rossouw scored 27 off 18 balls, hitting the same number of boundaries.

Following those quick dismissals, Kusal Mendis and Mark Chapman formed a steady 39-run partnership for the fourth wicket until Joseph caught Mendis behind in the 17th over.

Mendis scored 32 off 27 balls with five boundaries.

Chapman, who was the highest scorer for the Gladiators, was dismissed by Luke Wood in the final over after scoring 33 off 26 balls, including three boundaries.

Azlarri Joseph was Zalmi’s most effective bowler, claiming three wickets for 33 runs in four overs, followed by Ayub with two, and Wood with one.

The victory propels the Gladiators to third place in the PSL 10 standings with six points.