PSL 10
LAHORE: Captain Babar Azam’s composed half-century and a clinical display by Peshawar Zalmi’s pacers led their team to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Lahore Qalandars in the 14th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Chasing a modest target of 130, Peshawar Zalmi overcame a shaky start and sealed the win in the 17th over, thanks to Babar Azam’s 36th PSL fifty. The seasoned batter remained unbeaten on 56 off 42 balls, anchoring the innings with seven boundaries and a six.
Zalmi’s run chase got off to a disastrous beginning as they lost both openers—Saim Ayub and Tom Kohler-Cadmore—for just 7 runs within the first two overs. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf struck early to put the Qalandars in command, but Mohammad Haris counter-attacked with a fiery 20 off 16 balls, including two sixes in one over. However, Shaheen dismissed Haris on the final delivery of the fourth over, reducing Zalmi to 40-3.
From there, Babar Azam and Hussain Talat took charge, stitching together a match-winning, unbeaten 93-run stand. Talat complemented his captain with a fluent 51 off 37 balls, smashing five fours and a six.
The duo’s calm and calculated approach turned the game in Zalmi’s favor, comfortably guiding their team past the finish line.
Earlier, Lahore Qalandars, after being put into bat, were bundled out for just 129 runs in the final over. Their innings never took off, as the new opening pair of Fakhar Zaman and Asif Ali failed to deliver.
Fakhar scored 10 off 8 balls before falling, while Asif managed only 4 off 6. The top order collapsed swiftly, with Abdullah Shafique, Daryl Mitchell, and others falling cheaply, leaving Qalandars reeling at 67-7 in under 11 overs.
Sikandar Raza provided the lone resistance with a fighting 52 off 37 balls, striking five boundaries and three sixes. He shared a vital partnership with Haris Rauf, taking the team past the 100-run mark, but wickets kept tumbling at the other end.
Peshawar Zalmi’s bowlers were clinical. Alzarri Joseph starred with three wickets, while Luke Wood and Hussain Talat chipped in with two each. Ali Raza and Arif Yaqoob claimed one wicket apiece in a disciplined bowling performance.
With this win, Peshawar Zalmi continue to climb the PSL 10 standings, while Lahore Qalandars struggle to find consistency in this edition of the league.
The 10th season of the PSL kicked off on April 11 and will continue until May 18. A total of 34 matches are scheduled, with Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium hosting 13 fixtures, including both Eliminators and the grand final. Rawalpindi will host 11 matches, including the first Qualifier, while Multan and Karachi have five matches each.
