Istafa Ali
Lahore Qalandars beat Peshawar Zalmi by 40 runs in the 15th match of the eighth season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at the Gaddafi Stadium today after skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi gave them the greatest start.
PSL 2023: Shaheen bowls Lahore Qalandars past Peshawar Zalmi.
Qalandars batted first and set a 242-run goal before holding Zalmi to 201 runs in 20 overs with Fakhar and Abdullah Shafique’s brilliant hitting and Shaheen’s five-wicket haul.
After losing both openers, Saim Ayub and Tom Kohler-Cadmore helped Zalmi chase the large total.
Shaheen provided Qalandars the greatest start against Zalmi. On his second ball, the captain bowled Mohammad Haris.
First ball: Bat broken ⚡
Second ball: Stumps rattled 🎯PACE IS PACE, YAAR 🔥🔥#HBLPSL8 | #SabSitarayHumaray | #LQvPZ pic.twitter.com/VetxGXVZqY
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 26, 2023
In his second over, the left-arm bowler bowled Zalmi captain Babar Azam with a beautiful in-swinging ball. Babar left after seven runs.
The TKC party boosts @PeshawarZalmi's chase 👏
2️⃣1️⃣-ball half-century! #HBLPSL8 | #SabSitarayHumaray | #LQvPZ pic.twitter.com/bM6Fv69kNC
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 26, 2023
Saim Ayub and Tom Kohler-Cadmore scored 91 off 44 balls after Babar’s departure.
Cadmore scored 55 runs in 23 balls until Haris Rauf removed him.
Abdullah Shafique captured Saim, who sought to take on Rashid Khan. Left-handed hitter scored critical 51 runs in 34 balls.
Zaman Khan dismissed Bhanuka Rajapaksa (24) after a 39-run partnership, lowering Zalmi to 166-5.
So pleasing to watch 🌟#HBLPSL8 | #SabSitarayHumaray | #LQvPZ pic.twitter.com/yhg2aN3Q52
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 26, 2023
Slowly bowling Powell in the same over, Zaman struck again.
Shaheen’s third over yielded three wickets. He sent Wahab Riaz back to the pavilion for duck.
In his last over, the left-armer dismissed Saad Masood with a furious delivery.
James Neesham (12), who attempted to challenge Shaheen, was caught behind to cap his five-wicket haul.
Shaheen grabbed five wickets and Zaman one for Qalandars. Haris Rauf and Rashid each took a scalp.
Qalandars set Zalmi a 242-run aim earlier with Abdullah and Fakhar.
Qalandars overcame Zalmi’s early lead with a 120-run second-wicket stand from Abdullah and Fakhar.
Abdullah, on his PSL 2023 debut, hammered 75 runs off 41 balls. Right-handed hitter hit five boundaries and five maximums.
Wahab dismissed the 23-year-old, his second wicket.
Sam Billings settled quickly and began striking boundaries with Fakhar, continuing the attack.
Fakhar dominated Zalmi. Left-handed batsman scored 96 runs off 45 balls with three boundaries and 10 maximums. Rovman Powell beat him on the 18th over.
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Billings hit an undefeated 47 runs from 23 balls, including five boundaries and three maximums.
Wahab Riaz dismissed Qalandars opener Tahir Baig early for Zalmi. The opener scored five runs in seven balls.
Contender for catch of the tournament! 🤯#HBLPSL8 | #SabSitarayHumaray | #LQvPZ pic.twitter.com/Hd9OCEr87f
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 26, 2023
