QG vs PZ: Babar Azam’s unbeaten fifty guides team to victory

KARACHI: Quetta Gladiators were outclassed in a one-sided contest of Quetta Gladiators vs Peshawar Zalmi, securing an emphatic eight-wicket win in the 23rd match of PSL 11 at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium on Wednesday.

Babar Azam, the PZ’s skipper, scored an unbeaten half-century and technically guided his bowlers while performing during the fielding.

 Zalmi successfully chased a 155-run target with nine balls remaining. The result marked their sixth win in seven matches and fifth consecutive victory, further strengthening their position at the top of the table.

In the chase of Quetta Gladiators vs Peshawar Zalmi, the Babar-led team made a flying start as Mohammad Haris and the skipper himself added 75 runs in under nine overs before Haris was dismissed for 35 off 28 balls.

Babar then anchored the innings, first building a 49-run stand with Kusal Mendis (21), and later finishing the game alongside Aaron Hardie, who contributed an unbeaten 18.

Babar remained unbeaten on 71 off 51 balls, striking 10 boundaries, as Zalmi reached the target comfortably.

Ahead of their chase, the Gladiators were bowled out for 154 after being asked to bat first.

In the QG vs PZ, the Gladiators innings never fully settled after early setbacks, including the quick dismissal of Ahsan Ali and the run-out of captain Saud Shakeel for 16.

Rilee Rossouw (28) and Hassan Nawaz (37) showed resistance, but regular breakthroughs kept the innings under control.

Zalmi’s bowlers maintained pressure throughout, with Sufiyan Muqeem and Abdul Basit taking three wickets each. I

ftikhar Ahmed also contributed with a wicket as Gladiators lost their last six wickets for just 34 runs, failing to reach a competitive total.

Peshawar Zalmi elected to field first against Quetta Gladiators as the PSL top ranked team came down with renewed energy to the pitch.