1 week Ago By Azhar Khan
LAHORE - Quetta Gladiators launched their HBL PSL 10 campaign in style, crushing Peshawar Zalmi by a dominant 80-run margin in the second match of the tournament at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday. The emphatic victory was built on explosive batting displays from openers Saud Shakeel and Finn Allen, followed by a sensational four-wicket haul by mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed.Opting to bowl first, Peshawar Zalmiwere put on the back foot early as Quetta’s opening duo came out with attacking intent.
Saud Shakeel compiled a graceful 59 off 42 balls, laced with six boundaries and two sixes, while the aggressive Finn Allen smashed a rapid 53 from just 25 deliveries, striking five fours and four sixes. The pair added 88 runs in only 7.1 overs, with Allen particularly severe on Zalmi’s Sufyan Moqim, hammering 22 runs off his over before falling on the final delivery.
Saud continued to anchor the innings before being dismissed in the 16th over by Ali Raza, who celebrated his maiden PSL wicket. Effective nutrition programme being implemented across province Middle-order contributions further propelled Quetta’s total. Hasan Nawaz chipped in with 41 from 32 balls before being removed by Alzarri Joseph.
The finishing touches were expertly provided by Rilee Rossouw (21* off 10) and Kusal Mendis (35* off 14), who put on an unbeaten 44-run stand in the final three overs to take Quetta to a daunting total of 216-3. In response, Peshawar’s chase unraveled from the outset. Captain Babar Azam was dismissed for a duck in the first over by Mohammad Amir, setting the tone for a disastrous innings.
Abrar Ahmed turned the game decisively in Quetta’s favor in the fourth over, removing Mohammad Haris and Tom Kohler-Cadmore in successive deliveries to reduce Zalmi to 30-3. Despite a resilient half-century from Saim Ayub on his return to the side, and a brief 35-run cameo from Hussain Talat, Zalmi were unable to recover. Talat briefly counterattacked with two sixes off Shoaib Malik before falling to Usman Tariq.
Abrar returned to dismiss Max Bryant and ended his spell with figures of 4-42. Usman Tariq and Mohammad Amir chipped in with two wickets apiece as Zalmi crumbled for 136 in just 15.1 overs.
3D scan reveals revolutionary details about Titanic’s final moments Scores in Brief QUETTA GLADIATORS 216/5 in 20 overs (Saud Shakeel 59, Finn Allen 53, Kusal Mendis 35*) beat PESHAWAR ZALMI 136 all out in 15.1 overs (Saim Ayub 50, Hussain Talat 35; Abrar Ahmed 4-42, Mohammad Amir 2-11, Usman Tariq 2-26) by 80 runs. Tags: abrar stars quetta.
