Islamabad, March 9, 2024 – In a thrilling encounter at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday, March 8, 2024, Peshawar Zalmi emerged victorious against Quetta Gladiators by a staggering 76-run margin in Match 25 of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 9.
Quetta Gladiators won the toss and opted to bowl first, a decision that eventually proved costly as Peshawar Zalmi showcased an impressive batting display, setting a formidable target of 197 runs for their opponents.
Peshawar Zalmi’s innings was anchored by skipper Babar Azam, who played a captain’s knock scoring 53 runs off just 30 balls. Tom Kohler-Cadmore contributed with a quickfire 33 runs in 19 balls, while Saim Ayub displayed his aggressive intent, scoring a brisk 30 runs off a mere 12 balls.
However, the standout moment of the match came from Quetta Gladiators’ Akeal Hosein, who delivered a remarkable bowling performance, claiming four wickets for 23 runs in his four-over spell, including a stunning hat-trick. Abrar Ahmed and Sohail Khan also chipped in with a wicket each, but Peshawar Zalmi managed to post a challenging total of 196 runs for the loss of eight wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
In the pursuit of a steep target, Quetta Gladiators faced an uphill battle. The batting order struggled against the disciplined bowling attack of Peshawar Zalmi. Saud Shakeel top-scored for Quetta with 24 runs, while Jason Roy and Akeal Hosein contributed 16 and 14 runs, respectively.
The Peshawar Zalmi bowlers proved to be the architects of their victory, as Khurram Shahzad, Saim Ayub, and Luke Wood claimed two wickets each, restricting Quetta Gladiators to a total of 120 runs in 17.5 overs.
For his outstanding all-round performance, Saim Ayub of Peshawar Zalmi was rightfully awarded the Player of the Match. Ayub not only played a crucial role with the bat, scoring 30 runs, but also made significant contributions with the ball by taking two wickets.
Peshawar Zalmi’s comprehensive victory not only solidifies their position in the PSL Season 9 standings but also highlights their potential as serious contenders for the championship. Quetta Gladiators, on the other hand, will need to regroup and reassess their strategies to bounce back in the tournament.
As the PSL Season 9 unfolds, cricket enthusiasts can expect more thrilling encounters and nail-biting moments, as teams vie for supremacy in one of the most exciting T20 leagues in the world.
