PSL 11: Kusal Mendis powers Zalmi to competitive total against Qalandars
Peshawar Zalmi set a 174-run target for Lahore Qalandars, thanks to a composed half-century from Kusal Mendis and a steady knock by captain Babar Azam, in their PSL 11 clash at National Bank Stadium on Saturday.
Batting first, Zalmi made a confident start as openers Mohammad Haris and Babar set the tone with positive stroke play.
Haris provided early momentum before Shaheen Afridi made the breakthrough in the first delivery of his second over, dismissing him for 18 off 10 balls, an innings featuring two fours and a six.
Babar then combined with Mendis to rebuild the innings, with the pair stitching together a composed and impactful partnership. Their stand took Zalmi past the 50-run mark with ease and steadily shifted momentum in their favour.
Mendis was in superb touch, taking control of the Qalandars’ attack and bringing up a successive PSL 11 half-century. At the other end, Babar anchored the innings with maturity, guiding the partnership beyond the 100-run milestone.
The duo’s stand of 109 runs showcased control, timing and composure under pressure.
The partnership was eventually broken when Usama Mir removed Babar for 43 off 40 deliveries, including three fours and a six, leaving Zalmi at 127-2 in 15.2 overs.
Michael Bracewell then added valuable runs to push the total past 150, but Shaheen Afridi struck again to dismiss Mendis for a brilliant 74 off 48 balls, featuring five fours and four sixes.
Ubaid Shah further dented Zalmi’s progress by removing Abdul Samad for two, reducing them to 153-4 in 17.3 overs.
Late blows followed as Mustafizur Rahman accounted for Bracewell, who made a quickfire 21 off 10 balls with one four and two sixes. Shaheen Afridi then returned in the final over to claim his third wicket, dismissing young Farhan Yousaf for two.
Zalmi’s innings closed with Iftikhar Ahmed unbeaten on seven and Sufiyan Muqeem on one, as they finished on 173-7 after 20 overs.
Babar Azam-led Peshawar Zalmi are ranked second on the points table and remain the only unbeaten side in the tournament, having won three of their four matches, with one game abandoned.
Defending champions Lahore Qalandars have won two of their four matches and currently sit in sixth place.
Playing XIs
Lahore Qalandars: Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Naeem, Haseebullah Khan(w), Abdullah Shafique, Sikandar Raza, Asif Ali, Usama Mir, Shaheen Afridi(c), Dunith Wellalage, Mustafizur Rahman, Ubaid Shah.
Peshawar Zalmi: Mohammad Haris, Babar Azam(c), Kusal Mendis(w), Michael Bracewell, Abdul Samad, Farhan Yousaf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Aamer Jamal, Sufiyan Muqeem, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana.
This is a developing story and is being updated with further details.
