Lahore Qalandars Keep Playoff Hopes Alive with Crucial Win Over Zalmi
By Nawaz Gohar ; Lahore Qalandars kept their HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 playoff hopes flickering with a thrilling six-wicket victory over table-toppers Peshawar Zalmi at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore on Saturday night.
In a must-win clash, the defending champions showcased remarkable composure under pressure, successfully chasing down a daunting 200-run target in 19.3 overs to stay in contention for the knockout stage.
The chase was anchored by experienced opener Fakhar Zaman, whose unbeaten 58 off 47 deliveries proved to be the backbone of Lahore’s innings. Calm yet effective, Fakhar paced his knock to perfection, ensuring stability while others played around him with aggressive intent.
Lahore’s pursuit began on a shaky note when Mohammad Naeem fell early for 10, leaving the hosts at 21-1. However, Fakhar quickly steadied the innings, forming a brisk partnership with Abdullah Shafique, who injected momentum with a rapid 25 off just 11 balls.
Following Shafique’s departure, Charith Asalanka contributed a valuable 33, helping Lahore maintain a healthy run rate as the required rate continued to climb. The match swung further in Lahore’s favour when Sikandar Raza unleashed a counterattack, smashing 29 off just 11 balls.
Raza’s entertaining cameo ended in unusual fashion as he was hit wicket off Sufiyan Muqeem, briefly giving Zalmi an opening. But Lahore refused to lose control. With the equation tightening, Daniel Sams produced a blistering unbeaten 35 off 15 balls, striking five fours and a six, to take the game away from Zalmi in the final overs.
Earlier, Peshawar Zalmi had posted an imposing 199-4 after being put into bat, thanks largely to a commanding innings from Michael Bracewell and a composed knock by captain Babar Azam.
Zalmi’s innings began cautiously but soon suffered early setbacks as Shaheen Afridi struck twice to remove James Vince and Kusal Mendis, reducing the visitors to 36-2 inside five overs. Babar and Bracewell rebuilt the innings with a crucial 94-run partnership.
Babar scored a steady 59 off 45 balls, while Bracewell dominated the Qalandars’ bowling attack, smashing 83 off 45 deliveries, laced with eight fours and six sixes. After Babar’s dismissal in the 16th over by Haris Rauf, Bracewell continued his onslaught and, along with Iftikhar Ahmed, added 64 runs for the fourth wicket.
Iftikhar provided a late flourish with an unbeaten 27 off just 14 balls, ensuring Zalmi finished strongly just shy of the 200-mark. For Lahore, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf picked up two wickets each.
