Zalmi Clinch Victory Over Qalandars in PSL 10 Clash

LAHORE: Peshawar Zalmi secured a convincing seven-wicket victory against Lahore Qalandars in the 14th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday. Alzarri Joseph’s impressive bowling performance, along with half-centuries from Babar Azam and Hussain Talat, were instrumental in Zalmi’s triumph.

The visitors successfully chased down a target of 130 runs, losing only three wickets and with 20 balls remaining.

However, Zalmi’s innings began poorly, losing openers Saim Ayub (2) and Tom Kohler Cadmore (0) within the first two overs, with the score at just seven.

Following these early setbacks, Mohammad Haris joined Babar and initiated a quick counter-attack.

They managed to add 33 runs in 21 balls before Haris was dismissed by a slower delivery from Shaheen Shah Afridi in the fifth over.

Haris struck two fours and two sixes during his 20-run innings off 16 balls.

Babar and Hussain Talat then formed a crucial partnership for the fourth wicket, guiding Zalmi to victory in the 17th over.

Babar remained unbeaten with 56 off 42 balls, including seven fours and a six, while Talat contributed an unbeaten 51 from 37 balls, featuring six boundaries and a six.

Shaheen was the pick of the bowlers for Qalandars, claiming two wickets for 22 runs in his four overs, while Haris Rauf took one wicket.

Zalmi captain Babar Azam’s decision to bowl first proved effective as his team’s bowlers dismantled the Qalandars’ batting lineup, restricting them to 128 runs in 19.2 overs.

Qalandars’ troubles began early when Fakhar Zaman was dismissed by Alzarri Joseph in the second over, scoring 10 off eight balls.

The hosts then suffered further setbacks in the following over as Luke Wood removed Asif Ali (4) and Daryl Mitchell (2).

Losing two more wickets in successive overs, the two-time champions found themselves struggling at 35/5 at the end of the powerplay.

With half the team out, Shaheen Shah Afridi promoted himself to number seven but was dismissed in the eighth over after scoring 16 runs off 10 balls.

Sikandar Raza and Rishad Hossain then attempted a recovery, adding 23 runs for the seventh wicket before Hossain was caught behind off Joseph in the 11th over.

Hossain scored 13 off 13 balls, including one four and a six.

Raza and Haris Rauf then formed a 36-run partnership for the eighth wicket, with Rauf scoring 10 off 14 balls before being dismissed by Arif Yaqoob in the 16th over.

Raza was eventually dismissed by Hussain Talat in the final over, finishing as the top-scorer for the Qalandars with 52 off 36 balls, including five fours and three sixes.

Alzarri Joseph was the standout bowler for Zalmi, taking three wickets for 16 runs in his four overs, supported by Luke Wood and Hussain Talat, who took two wickets each, while Arif Yaqoob and Ali Raza took one wicket each.

Despite this win, Zalmi remain in fourth place in the PSL 10 standings. Qalandars are in the third spot with a slightly better net run rate, though they share the same score of four points across five games.