Peshawar Zalmi secured a dominant 118-run victory over Quetta Gladiators in the 29th match of Pakistan Super League Season 11 at National Bank Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing a huge target of 256 runs, Quetta Gladiators were bowled out for 137 in 18.1 overs. Bevon Jacobs was the top scorer with 34 runs, while Shamyl Hussain made 21. Dinesh Chandimal and Alzarri Joseph scored 19 runs each, and captain Saud Shakeel added 12.
Mohammad Basit and Ali Raza led Zalmi’s bowling attack with three wickets each. Aaron Hardie took two wickets, while Sufiyan Muqeem and Michael Bracewell picked up one wicket each.
Earlier, Quetta captain Saud Shakeel chose to field first, but the decision did not work in their favor as Zalmi posted a massive total of 255 for 3 in 20 overs. The strong total was built on a big partnership between Babar Azam and Kusal Mendis.
Zalmi started quickly, with Mohammad Haris scoring 16 runs in a short innings as the team reached 30 runs in just 1.3 overs before he was dismissed by Alzarri Joseph.
After that, Kusal Mendis joined Babar Azam, and the two built a strong 135-run partnership for the second wicket. Both players completed their half-centuries during this stand. Mendis was eventually dismissed by Usman Tariq after scoring 83 off 44 balls, including 10 fours and three sixes.
Babar then added 24 runs with Farhan Yousaf, who scored 19 off just eight balls. Later, Babar and Aaron Hardie put together an unbeaten 66-run partnership to finish the innings strongly.
Babar Azam completed his third PSL century on the last ball of the innings and remained not out on 100 from 52 balls, hitting six fours and four sixes. Aaron Hardie also contributed 26 runs from just 10 balls, including three sixes.
For Quetta Gladiators, Abrar Ahmed, Alzarri Joseph, and Usman Tariq managed to take one wicket each.
Babar Azam was named Player of the Match for his outstanding unbeaten century.
