RAWALPINDI: A brilliant half century by the skipper Babar Azam supported by some fine contribution from Saim Ayub and Tom Kohler guided Peshawar Zalmi to a decent total of 196 runs against Quetta Gladiator in the 25th contest of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9th edition at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Earlier winning the toss, Quetta Gladiator invited Zalmi to bat first. Both openers of Peshawar Zalmi Saim Ayub and Babar Azam took a flying start and took the score 46 in just 3.3 overs before Saim was dismissed by Suhail Khan on 30 runs. Saim played just 12 balls whereas his inning included 1 boundary and 3 sixes.
Saim was replaced by Mohammad Haris who along with Babar managed to accelerate the run-rate. However, in the 8th over Haris was run-out on 20. Gladiator got the 3rd wicket quickly when Haseebullah was dismissed by Abrar on just 6 runs. He was replaced by Tom Kohler Cadmore who along with Babar pushed the score board ahead.
Meanwhile Babar completed his terrific half century. Soon after completing his fifty Babar also departed on 53. The next was Tom Kohler who scored 34 runs. After dismissal of the two set batters Peshawar Zalmi lost couple of more quick wickets which also paused the quick flow of runs. The credit went to Gladiator Spinner Hosein who got three quick wickets of Aamer Jamal, Mehran Mumtaz and Luke Wood. At the stage Peshawar Zalmi were 157 for 8 in 15.4 overs.
Later Rovman Powell and Naveen-ul-Haq added some runs to the total. Peshawar Zalmi scored 196 for the loss of 8 wickets in 20 overs.
From Quetta Gladiator Akeal Hosein was the most successful bowler while taking 4 for 23 in four overs. Mohammad Hasnain, Abrar Ahmed and Sohail Khan got one wicket each.
Team:
Quetta Gladiators: Jason Roy, Saud Shakeel, Khawaja Nafay, Rilee Rossouw (c), Omair Bin Yousuf, Laurie Evans (wk), Akeal Hosein, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Amir, Abrar Ahmed, Sohail Khan
Peshawar Zalmi: Saim Ayub, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Haris (wk), Tom Kohler Cadmore, Haseebullah Khan, Rovman Powell, Aamer Jamal, Luke Wood, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mehran Mumtaz, Khurram Shahzad
