HBL PSL X: Peshawer Zalmi opt to bowl first against Quetta Gladiators | The Express Tribune

Quetta Gladiators posted a competitive total of 178/7 against Peshawar Zalmi in their HBL Pakistan Super League clash on Sunday in Lahore.

Quetta Gladiators, asked to bat first, were off to a flying start, thanks to a 46-run partnership between openers Saud Shakeel and Finn Allen for the first wicket.

Allen, in particular, played a blistering knock, scoring 31 runs off just 16 balls. His aggressive innings included 2 sixes and 4 fours, propelling Quetta’s total at a rapid pace. However, the first breakthrough came when Alzarri Joseph dismissed the New Zealand opener, sending Allen back to the pavilion.

Shakeel continued to anchor the innings, and along with Rilee Rossouw, the two took the score to 91 before Rossouw was dismissed for 27 runs off 18 balls, having struck 5 boundaries. Shakeel’s contribution ended at 32 runs off 26 balls, including 5 boundaries, as he was caught by Abdul Samad off Saim Ayub’s bowling.

Kusal Mendis, who followed, added some stability to the innings, scoring 32 runs off 27 balls, but was eventually dismissed by Joseph. Mark Chapman, playing a crucial role in the middle order, struck 33 runs off 26 balls, including 3 fours. However, his wicket fell to Luke Wood, who took his only wicket of the innings.

Faheem Ashraf failed to make an impact, dismissed for just 1 run off 2 balls, as Joseph completed his third wicket. Hasan Nawaz added a quick 8 runs off 4 balls before he was run out as Gladiators post a total of 178/7 in 20 overs.

On the bowling front, Joseph was the standout performer, picking up 3 wickets for 33 runs in his 4 overs. Saim Ayub also claimed 2 wickets for 24 runs, while Wood, Muqeem, and Raza each had a wicket to their name.

Peshawar Zalmi XI: Babar Azam (Captain), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris (wk), Tom Kohler Cadmore, Hussain Talat, Mitch Owen, Abdul Samad, Luke Wood, Alzari Joseph, Sufyan Muqeem, Ali Raza

Quetta Gladiators XI: Saud Shakeel (Captain), Abrar Ahmed, Hassan Nawaz, Kusal Mendis (wk), Mark Chapman, Rilee Rossouw, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Faheem Ashraf, Khurram Shahzad, Fin Allen