RAWALPINDI: A power-packed performance by Quetta Gladiator left Peshawar Zalmi shocked in their opening match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) X at the Pindi Stadium here on Saturday.
In a day match, Gladiators were given a fiery start by Saud Shakil (59) and Finn Allen (53) as opening pair raised 88 in just seven overs.
Gladiators ultimately raised a daunting 216 in 20 overs.
Once Zalmi lost the third wicket on just 30 on the board in the 4th over, the writing looked on the wall. Zalmi ultimately finished at 136 before being bowled out in the 16th over. .
Gladiators display of powerful hitting enthralled the Pindi Stadium crowd. Even those backing Zalmi were forced to appreciate sensational hitting led by Saud and Allen.
The new Zalmi power hitter smashed four sixes and five fours in his 25-ball knock with Saud also striking six fours and two sixes in his innings.
Hasan Nawaz (41) and Khushal Mendis’s explosive 14-ball 35 not out took Gladiators total beyond 200.
It was a tough struggle for Zalmi bowlers who were smashed all around by Gladiators batsmen. Pacers Muhammad Ali (0-57) and Alzarri Joseph (1-53) conceded over 50 each of four overs.
Sufiyan Muqeem (1-39) was also unimpressive so were other spinners.
Zalmi never looked in a hunt to chase a formidable total. Only Saim Ayub (50) looked solid for a brief period before losing his wicket to Jamieson.
His 39-ball innings was studded by three fours and four sixes.
Hussain Talat (35) and Mitchell Owen (31) also played well but never looked threatening.
Abrar Ahmad (4-42), Usman Tariq (2-26) and Mohammad Amir (2-11) kept a decent check on Zalmi’s batsmen. Abrar Ahmad was declared Player of the Match for his outstanding bowling but it was the opening stand between Allen and Saud that actually turned the table on Zalim.
Score: Quetta Gladiators 216 for 3 in 20 overs (Saud Shakil 59, Finn Allen 53, Hasan Nawaz 41, Kaushal Mendis 35, Ali Raza 1-31)
Peshawar Zalmi 136 all out in 15.1 overs (Saim Ayub 50, Hussain Talat 35, Abrar Ahmad 4-42, Usman Tariq 2-26, Mohammad Amir 2-11)
Result: Quetta Gladiators won by 80 runs.
Score Board
Peshawar Zalmi won the toss
Quetta Gladiators Innings
Shakeel (c) c Azam b Ali 59
Finn c Owen b Sufiyan 53
Hasan c Saim b Joseph 41
Rilee not out 21
Kusal not out 35
Extras: (lb 2, nb 3, w 2) 7
Total: 20 Ov (RR: 10.80) 216/3
Fall of wickets: 1-88, 2-151, 3-158
Bowling: Saim Ayub 3-0-26-0, Mohammad Ali 4-0-57-0, Ali Raza 4-0-31-1, Alzarri Joseph 4-0-53-1, Sufiyan Muqeem 4-0-39-1, Hussain Talat 1-0-8-0
Peshawar Zalmi (T: 217 runs from 20 ovs)
Ayub c & b Jamieson 50
Babar (c) c Rossouw b Amir 0
Haris c & b Abrar 13
Tom c Jamieson b Abrar 0
Hussain c Ashraf b Usman 35
Max c & b Usman 0
Mitchell c Mendis b Amir 31
Alzarri run out sub Abbott 0
Sufiyan lbw b Abrar 1
Mohammad b Abrar 0
Ali not out 0
Extras: (b 1, lb 2, w 3) 6
Total: 15.1 Ov (RR: 8.96) 136
Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-30, 3-30, 4-93, 5-93, 6-103, 7-103, 8-117, 9-117, 10-136
Bowling: Mohammad Amir 2.1-0-11-2, Kyle Jamieson 3-0-28-1, Abrar Ahmed 4-0-42-4, Usman Tariq 4-0-26-2, Shoaib Malik 1-0-19-0, Faheem Ashraf 1-0-7-0
Match Result: Gladiators won by 80 runs
Player of the match: Abrar Ahmed
Umpires: Ahsan Raza, Rashid Riaz