Quetta Gladiators vs Peshawar Zalmi Archives

Roy, Shakeel help Quetta Gladiators ease past Peshawar Zalmi

LAHORE: Jason Roy and Saud Shakeel’s tremendous opening stand propelled Quetta Gladiators to register a sixteen-run victory over Peshawar Zalmi in their opening Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 match at Gaddafi Stadium.

Set to chase 207, Peshawar Zalmi’s captain Babar Azam and Saim Ayub came out all guns blazing as they raised 70 runs in the powerplay.

However, their progress was halted by a mixup between the batters in the ninth over, resulting in Ayub’s run-out, which proved to be the turning point.

Ayub scored a quick 42 runs from 26 balls, which featured three sixes and two boundaries.

Akeal Hosein then removed Mohammad Haris to reduce Zalmi to 108-2 in 10.2 overs before Tom Kohler-Cadmore joined hands with Azam for a 39-run stand.

Azam played a 68-run knock in 42 balls with the help of four boundaries and four sixes. He fell prey to Abrar Ahmed in the 16th over with 147 runs on the board.

Kohler-Cadmore also fell in the same over after scoring run-a-ball 18 runs, leaving Zalmis to chase 57 off 26.

Quetta Gladiators’ bowlers did not allow the batters to regain momentum and reduced them to 182-5 in 19 overs, requiring 25 off the last over.

Mohammad Wasim’s last over conceded seven runs only, handing the Gladiators a 16-run win, with Abrar Ahmed leading the bowling with 2-29.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Amir, Hosein and Wasim bagged one wicket each.

Prior to that, Quetta Gladiators were invited to bat first and their new opening pair of Jason Roy and Saud Shakeel started their PSL 9 campaign brilliantly.

Roy hit Luke Wood for the four on the first ball to kick things off before Shakeel also hit a boundary to get runs from the first over.

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Shakeel was almost dismissed in the next over as Saim Ayub caught a low catch at backward point, but the third-umpire declined the appeal, giving the left-hand batter a lifeline.

Both batters gained momentum gradually and turned the game on its head with regular boundaries to reach the 100-run mark in ten overs.

Roy raised his half-century in 33 balls with a six over deep midwicket off Dan Mousley, meanwhile, Shakeel reached the landmark in 36 balls.

They continued the onslaught but Wood finally broke the 157-run partnership as Shakeel ballooned the ball in the air, only to be caught by Babar Azam at mid-on.

Shakeel departed after scoring a brilliant 74 off 47, laced with ten boundaries, which included four sixes as well.

Gladiators’ skipper Rilee Rossouw joined the party and hit the six off the first ball, followed by a boundary two balls later, but Mohammad Zeeshan castled him in the next over to end his brief stay.

Roy was departed by Salman Irshad in the 18th over with 185 runs on the board after playing a clinical knock of 75 runs from 48 balls, featuring nine boundaries and two sixes.

Sherfane Rutherford played a 20-run cameo off 13 balls before getting out in the last over, followed by Mohammad Wasim who scored a boundary and departed on the next ball.

Khawaja Nafay (6) hit the last ball for four to lift the team’s total to 206 in their allocated 20 overs.

Irshad led the bowling charts for the Peshawar Zalmi with figures of 3-38, while Wood and Zeeshan contributed with one wicket each.

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‘We’ll try to score 280 in next game’ Babar dismayed over high-scoring loss

RAWALPINDI: Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam seemed a bit disheartened over the loss of his team despite scoring a mammoth 240, which also included his maiden PSL century, against Quetta Gladiators on Wednesday.

Babar said his side’s bowling was not up to the mark in the game and they conceded more than 12 runs per over throughout the innings.

“We couldn’t bowl up to the expectations,” said Babar in a post-match conference after Gladiators sealed a comfortable eight-wicket victory over Zalmi in a high-scoring match of the Pakistan Super League season 8.

Quetta’s hard-hitting opener Jason Roy was invincible as he smacked a phenomenal 63-ball 145 to single-handedly crush Zalmi in the match.

“We applied everything in our bowling. But he (Jason Roy) was simply outstanding” confessed Babar.

However, Zalmi’s captain did not shy away from accepting their own mistakes with the ball and shared the blame equally on both – Roy’s blitz as well as Zalmi’s poor bowling – for the defeat of his team.

“We could not execute what we planned. You can say it was fifty-fifty. 50 per cent credit goes to his (Roy’s) innings and 50 per cent to our own bad bowling” he said.

“It is not just he played extraordinarily but we made mistakes too,” he added.

Furthermore, Babar stated that the next two matches will be crucial for the Zalmi following this defeat, as they currently sit on eight points in the standings and need at least one victory in two matches to qualify for the playoffs.

“We will sit and discuss where we can improve. God willing, we will try to score 280 in the next match” he quipped.

Moreover, Pakistan all-format captain Babar also lauded his opening partner at Zalmi, Saim Ayub, who has impressed with his superb batting performances and picturesque shots in the tournament.

The left-hander scored 74 from 34 balls in the match before scoring 36-ball 68 the other day against Lahore Qalandars.

“The way Saim batted, it was outstanding,” said Zalmi captain.

“As a captain of the Pakistan team, I have my eyes on every top performer in the league,” remarked Babar when asked whether he was keen to give Saim a breakthrough in the national team after watching him closely.

He added all the players performing at the PSL needed to establish themselves a bit more.

“It is too early to comment on T20 World Cup 2024” he replied to a question about incorporating the top PSL performers in Pakistan’s T20I side before the mega event next year.

“We should not haste and hype the players so quickly. Let them perform for some more time” he concluded.

READ: Motie leads West Indies fightback against South Africa in 2nd Test

Records galore as Roy-led Gladiators down Zalmi in high-scoring contest

RAWALPINDI: Numerous records bite the dust as Quetta Gladiators downed Peshawar Zalmi in the must-win Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight clash on Wednesday.

After struggling with the bat in the initial fixtures, Gladiators’ hard-hitting opener Jason Roy announced his comeback in style as the right-handed batter powered his side to pull off a miraculous victory over Zalmi with a marathon 145-run knock in the run chase.

With his scintillating match-winning knock, Roy registered the highest-ever individual score in PSL history, trumping Karachi Kings’ Colin Ingram’s 127 not out against Gladiators in 2019.

Roy also became the first overseas player in PSL to score two centuries in the league’s history. His century was also the second-fastest in the league’s history.

English opener’s astonishing knock powered Gladiators to pull off the highest-ever run chase in PSL history, breaking the previous record of Multan Sultans, who successfully chased down 209 against Lahore Qalandars in the previous edition.

The historic pursuit was also the second-highest successful chase in domestic T20s and the fourth-highest in all T20s.

The Gladiators also bettered the third-highest total of PSL history by scoring 243/2 which Zalmi put up in the first innings as they finished at 240/2.

Meanwhile, despite being a forgetful night for him as a captain, Babar Azam unlocked a long-awaited achievement for himself as the star batter struck his maiden century in the extravaganza.

With his magnificent knock, Babar scored his eighth century in T20s and is only behind T20 great Chris Gayle, who scored 22 tons in his iconic career.

READ: Roy ton pulls off miraculous win over Zalmi as Gladiators stay alive

Peshawar Zalmi elect to bat first against Quetta Gladiators

RAWALPINDI: Peshawar Zalmi have won the toss and opted to bat first against Quetta Gladiators in the 25th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight.

PLAYING XIs

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Haris, Saim Ayub, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Rovman Powell, Haseebullah Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Wahab Riaz, Aamir Jamal, Arshad Iqbal, Mujeeb Ur Rehman.

Quetta Gladiators: Martin Guptill, Jason Roy, Will Smeed, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Nawaz (c), Umar Akmal, Dwaine Pretorius, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Aimal Khan.

HEAD TO HEAD

Matches 20, Peshawar Zalmi 12, Quetta Gladiators 8

Neesham, Powell power Peshawar Zalmi to edge Quetta Gladiators

KARACHI: All-rounders James Neesham and Rovman Powell played sensible knocks in the run chase to steer Peshawar Zalmi to a convincing four-wicket victory over Quetta Gladiators in the ninth match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight.

Set to chase 155, Zalmi amassed the target in the 19th over with four wickets to spare at the back of a crucial partnership between Neesham and Powell.

Earlier, the Zalmi got off to a poor start to the pursuit as the side lost three wickets for 47 runs in the fifth over with in-form batters Mohammad Haris, Saim Ayub and Tom Kohler-Cadmore perishing cheaply.

Zalmi then endured a huge blow to their pursuit as they lost their skipper Babar Azam in the eighth over and consequently slipped to 67/4. Babar could score 19 off 18 deliveries.

Following the setback, Neesham and Powell anchored the run chase with a gritty 46-run partnership before Naseem Shah castled the latter to glimmer a ray of hope for the Gladiators.

Powell scored a brisk 23-ball 36 and smashed three boundaries and two sixes.

Following Powell’s departure, Neesham joined hands with Dasun Shanaka and steered his side closer to victory before falling victim to Qais Ahmed in the 15th over. He top-scored for the Zalmi with 38 off 23 deliveries with the help of four boundaries and three sixes.

Neesham’s dismissal triggered a late twist in the run chase but Shanaka and Wahab Riaz held their nerves calm to steer the side to their second triumph of the season.

Shanaka scored an unbeaten 16 while Wahab scored 10 not out in 12 deliveries.

Mohammad Hasnain led the bowling attack for the Gladiators with 3/13 in his four overs while Naseem, Nawaz and Qais made one scalp each.

Put into bat first, the Gladiators raised 154/4 despite a dismal start at the back of a magnificent half-century by Iftikhar.

Gladiators openers Jason Roy and Martin Guptill started cautiously against a disciplined bowling attack of Zalmi as they could score 28 runs in the powerplay before the latter lost his wicket in a desperate attempt to go big. Guptill could score 12 off 16.

Following his dismissal, leg-spinner Usman Qadir struck twice in his consecutive overs; removing Roy (14) and Mohammad Nawaz (2) as the Gladiators slipped to 37/3 in the ninth over.

Following the slump, skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed and Iftikhar anchored the innings with a gritty 74-run partnership for the fourth wicket and broke the shackles.

Meanwhile, Arshad Iqbal castled Sarfaraz in the 17th over to dent the Gladiators’ march to a big total. The skipper could score 39 off 30 deliveries and hit five boundaries.

Iftikhar, however, held his ground firm and kept charging on the Zalmi bowlers in the death overs and received significant support from all-rounder Odean Smith, who struck a blistering 12-ball 25.

Iftikhar top-scored for the Gladiators with 50 off 34 deliveries, laced with two boundaries and four sixes.

Qadir led the bowling attack for Zalmi with 2/26 while Arshad and James Neesham could make one scalp.

Peshawar Zalmi win toss, elect to field first against Peshawar Gladiators

KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi have won the toss and elected to bowl first against Quetta Gladiators in the ninth match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight.

PLAYING XIs

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam, Mohammad Haris, Saim Ayub, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Rovman Powell, Dasun Shanaka, Jimmy Neesham, Wahab Riaz, Usman Qadir, Arshad Iqbal, Sufyan Muqeem.

Quetta Gladiators: Sarfaraz Ahmed (c), Jason Roy, Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, Martin Guptill, Iftikhar Ahmed, Qais Ahmed, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Odean Smith.

HEAD TO HEAD

Matches-19, Peshawar Zalmi-11, Quetta Gladiators-8

Quetta beat Zalmi in tense exhibition match after Iftikhar’s heroics

QUETTA: Iftikhar Ahmed played an astounding knock unbeaten of 94 from 50 balls to help Quetta Gladiators seal a close win over Peshawar Zalmi by three runs in the Pakistan Super League exhibition match, here on Sunday.

Iftikhar smoked six sixes off the final over by Wahab Riaz and lived up to the expectations of the cricket-devoid people of Quetta, who showed up in numbers to witness the first competitive cricket game at Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti Stadium after 27 years.

Set to chase a mammoth target of 185, Peshawar Zalmi fell short of the target despite a promising start by young Mohammad Haris and skipper Babar Azam.

Haris made 53 from 35 balls while Peshawar and Pakistan captain Babar scored 23 from 18 balls. Star all-rounder Shahid Afridi played a short cameo of 17-ball 25 amid roars and loud cheers by the enthusiastic Quetta crowd.

For Quetta, Mohammad Hasnain led the bowling charge as he picked up three wickets for 30 runs in his four overs, while player of the match Iftikhar also had two wickets to his credit besides his batting exploits.

Earlier, Veteran pacer Wahab provided Zalmi with early breakthroughs, dismissing Ahsan Ali and Umar Akmal in the second over after skipper Babar elected to field first. He took three wickets but conceded 47 runs in his full quota of four overs.

Gladiators fought back in the second half of the innings to post a respectable total on the board with Iftikhar firing in with his massive hits and keeping jam-packed Bugti Stadium on its toes.

Khusdhil Shah, on the other hand, contributed 36 from 24 balls before he fell prey to Wahab in the 18th over.

Quetta Captain Sarafaraz, however, managed just four from 12 balls before he was knocked out by Aamer Jamal. who could only score four runs, was cleaned up by Aamir Jamal. Abdul Wahid Bangalzai scored 28 in 19.

Usman takes three as Zalmi beat Gladiators by 24 runs

LAHORE: Quetta Gladiators’ Will Smeed fought hard with his gritty 99 but Usman Qadir’s astonishing spell assisted Peshawar Zalmi to beat Gladiators by 24 runs in the 22nd match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 7.

Set to chase 186, Gladiators batters failed to get going. The opener Smeed, however, retaliated till the end with his valiant 99 off 60 balls, laced with 12 boundaries and three sixes.

Despite his heroic innings, the Gladiators could not manage to pull off the victory as the 20-years-old received no support from the other end. Gladiators’ skipper – Sarfaraz Ahmed remained the second top-scorer after Smeed; scoring a mere 25 off 21 balls.

For the Zalmi, Usman starred; taking three wickets, while Salman Irshad took two. Liam Livingstone, Wahab Riaz, and Hussain Talat struck out a batter each.

Batting first, the Zalmi managed to post 185/7 in the allotted 20 overs, thanks to the half-centuries from Shoaib Malik and Hussain Talat.

The Zalmi started the proceedings poorly as Naseem Shah removed their explosive batters – Hazratullah Zazai and Liam Livingstone cheaply in his first over.

With the side stranded at 6-2 in the second over, experienced batter Shoaib anchored the innings with Mohammad Haris; putting on a magnificent 52-runs partnership before the young batter perished after scoring a brilliant 29 off 17 balls, laced with six boundaries.

Malik then recorded another brilliant partnership with Talat and anchored the innings for the Zalmi. The pair batted brilliantly as both the batters went on smash half-centuries.

Talat scored 51 off 33, while Malik top-scored with 58 off 41 deliveries; smashing eight boundaries.

In the 19th over, Ben Cutting went hard at Sohail Tanvir; smashing four sixes to the left-arm pacer. Cutting’s astonishing cameo of 36 runs off just 14 deliveries with the help of four sixes and a boundary bolstered the side’s score.

For the Gladiators, Naseem Shah shone; taking four wickets, while Khurram Shehzad, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Ghulam Mudassar struck out a batter each.

Following this victory, Zalmi have now claimed the fourth position in the PSL 7 points table, while the Gladiators have been demoted to the fifth spot.

Zalmi win toss, opt to bat first against Gladiators

LAHORE: Peshawar Zalmi have won the toss and elected to bat first against Quetta Gladiators in the 22nd match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 7, here at Gaddafi Stadium.

PLAYING XIs

Quetta Gladiators: Sarfaraz Ahmed (c), Jason Roy, Will Smeed, James Vince, Iftikhar Ahmed, Umar Akmal, Noor Ahmed, Sohail Tanvir, Naseem Shah, Ghulam Mudassar, Khurram Shehzad

Peshawar Zalmi: Wahab Riaz (c), Hazratullah Zazai, Liam Livingstone, Mohammad Haris, Shoaib Malik, Hussain Talat, Sherfane Rutherford, Salman Irshad, Ben Cutting, Usman Qadir, Mohammad Umar

HEAD TO HEAD

Matches-19, Peshawar Zalmi-10, Quetta Gladiators-8

Gladiators, Zalmi to lock horns in search of fourth PSL 7 triumph

LAHORE: In the 22nd match of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 7, the former champions – Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators will compete against each other to taste the fourth victory in the mega event.

Both the team – Gladiators and Zalmi, had a similar run so far; winning three out of their first seven contests. The Gladiators, however, occupied fourth place, thanks to their better net run rate.

The Gladiators, who suffered a crushing defeat against Lahore Qalandars in their last outing will be looking to regain their lost momentum. The 2019 champions heavily rely on their top order which features the likes of Jason Roy, James Vince, and in-form Ahsan Ali.

Gladiators’ skipper – Sarfaraz Ahmed has also regained his lost form in their clash against Islamabad United; scoring an unbeaten half-century and steering his side to the victory.

The side was recently jolted by major setbacks as Ben Duckett and Luke Wood are unavailable for the remainder of the PSL 7. Whereas, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, and Shahid Afridi are already unavailable for the former champions.

In the bowling department, Gladiators’ pacer – Naseem Shah can play a vital role with the ball, whereas, James Faulkner and Sohail Tanvir too, can not be written off.

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Zalmi, on the other hand, will be taking on the field with a better momentum as the side tasted the triumph in their last outing – defeating win-less Karachi Kings in a comprehensive fashion.

Just like the Gladiators, Zalmi too, heavily rely on their top-order which features Afghan explosive batter – Hazratullah Zazai and an enterprising young talent – Mohammad Haris, and Englishman Liam Livingstone.

The side also possesses the firepower in their middle and lower order as Shoaib Malik, Haider Ali, and Ben Cutting can be lethal with their power hitting.

The 2017 champions also have a decent bowling attack – led by the skipper Wahab Riaz himself. Whereas, young pacer – Mohammad Umar and Amad Butt have been decent with the ball in their last challenge, while Livingstone can also be handy with the ball.

HEAD TO HEAD

Matches-19. Peshawar Zalmi-10, Quetta Gladiators-8