PSL X: Lahore Qalandars Knock Out Peshawar Zalmi with 26-Run Victory at Pindi Cricket Stadium
Peshawar Zalmi’s PSL X campaign ended on a disappointing note as Lahore Qalandars clinched a commanding 26-run win in the 29th match at Rawalpindi’s Pindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Batting first in a rain-shortened 13-over contest, Lahore Qalandars set a challenging target of 150 runs, powered by a blazing 60 off 36 balls from Fakhar Zaman, featuring seven boundaries and three towering sixes. Despite losing wickets regularly, the Qalandars maintained a strong run rate of 11.46, aided by crucial contributions from Asif Ali (18 off 6) and Kusal Perera (17), alongside extras that added 13 runs.
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The bowling restrictions and tactical nuances made the contest intense. Salman Mirza starred with the ball for Lahore, grabbing four vital wickets, including a rare hit-wicket dismissal of Peshawar’s Saim Ayub, who top-scored with a gritty 87 off 76 balls. Mirza also dismissed Max Bryant for a duck and claimed Mohammad Haris’s wicket, stifling the Zalmi chase early.
Peshawar Zalmi struggled to keep pace with the target under the strict 13-over format and over-limitations on bowlers. Captain Babar Azam contributed 16 runs before falling to Sikandar Raza, while Daniel Sams showed resilience with an unbeaten 26 down the order. However, Zalmi were eventually bowled out for 123 runs in 13 overs, handing Lahore Qalandars a well-earned playoff spot.
Key moments included sharp fielding from Mohammad Haris, who effected a run-out of Kusal Perera, and disciplined bowling spells by Daniel Sams and Ahmed Daniyal. Despite the setback, Peshawar Zalmi’s spirited effort couldn’t match Lahore’s clinical performance.
Lahore Qalandars now advance to the playoffs, leaving Peshawar Zalmi to reflect on a season that ended too soon.
