PSL X: Qalandars set 130-run target for Zalmi

LAHORE: After being put into bat first, Lahore Qalandars on Thursday set a modest 130-run target for Peshawar Zalmi during the 14th fixture of the Pakistan Super League Season 10 at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Zalmi captain Babar Azam’s decision to field first paid dividends as his team’s bowling unit dismantled Qalandars’ strong batting lineup, which could yield 128 runs before getting bundled out in 19.2 overs.

The Qalandars’ woes started in the second over when their experienced opener Fakhar Zaman was cleaned up by Alzarri Joseph while playing a rash shot. He could score 10 off eight deliveries.

The hosts then suffered a twin blow in the next over as Luke Wood got rid of makeshift opener Asif Ali (five) and Daryl Mitchell (two).

The two-time champions then lost two more wickets in successive overs and were consequently reeling at 35/5 at the conclusion of the batting powerplay.

With half of the side back in the hut, captain Shaheen Shah Afridi promoted himself to bat at number seven but could survive for 10 deliveries and walked back in the eight over after scoring 16.

Following the slump, experienced all-rounder Sikandar Raza and Rishad Hossain attempted to force a comeback and batted cautiously for a 23-run partnership for the seventh wicket, which culminated in the 11th over when the latter was caught behind off Joseph.

Hossain made a run-a-ball 13 with the help of one four and a six.

Raza then knitted a one-sided 36-run partnership for the eighth wicket with Haris Rauf, who scored 10 off 14 deliveries before being cleaned up by Arif Yaqoob in the 16th over.

The all-rounder was eventually dismissed by Hussain Talat in the final over. He remained the top-scorer for the Qalandars with a 36-ball 52, comprised of five fours and three sixes.

Alzarri Joseph was the standout bowler for Zalmi, taking three wickets for just 16 runs in his four overs. He was supported by Luke Wood and Hussain Talat, who took two each, while Arif Yaqoob and Ali Raza chipped in with one strike apiece.

PLAYING XIs

Lahore Qalandars: Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Naeem, Abdullah Shafique, Daryl Mitchell, Sam Billings(w), Sikandar Raza, Shaheen Afridi(c), Rishad Hossain, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan and Asif Afridi.

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris (wk), Tom-Kohler Cadmore, Hussain Talat, Mitch Owen, Abdul Samad, Luke Wood, Alzari Joseph, Arif Yaqoob and Ali Raza.