LAHORE: Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam and Michael Bracewell smashed blistering half-centuries to power Zalmi to a formidable total of 199/4 against defending champions Lahore Qalandars in the 38th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.
Peshawar Zalmi finish with a total of 199-4.#HBLPSL11 | #NewEra | #LQvPZ | #GoGold | #GoldenRibbon🎗️ pic.twitter.com/ETeg6sVuyV
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) April 25, 2026
Put into bat first, the table-toppers recovered from a shaky start to post a commanding total, thanks to anchoring partnerships for the second and fourth wickets.
Peshawar’s innings began poorly as Lahore captain Shaheen Shah Afridi cleaned up James Vince (10) on the first delivery of the third over with just 16 runs on the board. Shaheen struck again in his next over, dismissing in-form Kusal Mendis (7), reducing Zalmi to 36/2.
Bracewell sliced it over point for a huge six despite a flying effort from Sams! 💥🏏
That strike brings up the 5️⃣0️⃣0️⃣th six of #HBLPSL11 so far 🔥#NewEra | #LQvPZ | #GoGold | #GoldenRibbon🎗️ pic.twitter.com/sWnJITGpSH
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) April 25, 2026
Following the back-to-back setbacks, Bracewell joined Babar in the middle. The duo batted sensibly to script a decent recovery, knitting an important 94-run partnership that saw both batters bring up their respective half-centuries. Haris Rauf eventually broke the threatening stand on the first delivery of the 16th over, castling Babar who walked back after scoring 59 off 45 deliveries.
Bracewell then forged another crucial 64-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Iftikhar Ahmed, ensuring a dominant finish with the bat. The New Zealand international remained the top scorer for Zalmi with 83 off 45 deliveries, studded with eight fours and six sixes, while Iftikhar chipped in with a 14-ball 27 not out.
For the defending champions Lahore Qalandars, Shaheen and Rauf bagged two wickets each, but the latter was expensive as he conceded 46 runs in his four overs.
