Peshawar Zalmi showcased a commanding all-round performance to overpower Lahore Qalandars by 76 runs in a Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 11 encounter. Defending a target of 173, Zalmi bowled out the Qalandars for a mere 97 runs.
Chasing 174, Lahore Qalandars struggled from the beginning. Openers Fakhar Zaman and Muhammad Naeem failed to establish a strong foundation, scoring only 21 and 1 respectively before falling to the disciplined bowling attack of Zalmi.
In a significant development, the onus shifted to Abdullah Shafique and Sikandar Raza to stabilize the innings. However, their resistance was brief, as they managed just 21 and 14 runs, unable to withstand the persistent pressure from Zalmi’s bowlers.
The middle order soon crumbled under mounting pressure. Haseebullah Khan contributed only 3 runs, while Asif Ali was dismissed without scoring. Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi fought back with 20 runs off 24 balls but lacked adequate support from the lower order. The remaining batsmen, including Usama Mir and Ubaid Shah, added minimal runs as the Qalandars were bundled out for 97.
Earlier, after winning the toss, Lahore Qalandars chose to field first. Peshawar Zalmi posted a competitive total of 173, thanks to a solid middle-order effort. Kusal Mendis led the innings with a notable 74 runs, while skipper Babar Azam contributed a vital 43. Additional support came from Michael Bracewell, who scored 21, and Mohammad Haris with 18, helping Zalmi set a defendable target.
In the end, Zalmi’s bowlers complemented the batting performance with a clinical display, dismantling the Qalandars’ batting lineup to secure a convincing victory.
