RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: Quetta Gladiators posted a commanding total of 216 for 3 against Peshawar Zalmi in their Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 10 clash at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday, thanks to blistering half-centuries from captain Saud Shakeel and Finn Allen.
Put in to bat first, Quetta Gladiators got off to a flying start as Shakeel and Allen punished the bowlers from the outset.
The pair brought up 67 runs in the powerplay without loss, displaying aggressive strokeplay and quick running between the wickets.
The turning point came in the seventh over when Finn Allen smashed 23 runs off spinner Sufiyan Muqeem, reaching his maiden PSL fifty off just 24 balls.
However, Muqeem had the last laugh as he dismissed Allen on the final delivery of the over. The Kiwi batter departed after a quickfire 53 off 25 balls, ending an 88-run opening stand.
Hasan Nawaz then joined Shakeel at the crease, and the duo kept the scoreboard ticking with a solid 63-run partnership.
Shakeel brought up his third PSL half-century in 35 balls before falling to young pacer Ali Raza for 59 runs, with the score at 151 for 2 in the 16th over.
Soon after, Hasan Nawaz was dismissed for 41 off 32 balls by Alzarri Joseph, leaving the Gladiators at 158 for 3.
Rilee Rossouw and Kusal Mendis capitalised on the foundation laid by the top order, adding an unbeaten 58 runs in the final overs.
Mendis was particularly effective, striking 35 off just 14 deliveries, while Rossouw remained not out on 21 from 10 balls. Their partnership propelled Quetta to a daunting total of 216.
For Peshawar Zalmi, bowlers struggled to contain the flow of runs, with Ali Raza, Alzarri Joseph, and Sufiyan Muqeem each claiming one wicket.
However, none could make a decisive impact as Quetta’s batters dominated proceedings.
Head-to-head record
In their last five encounters, Zalmi hold a slight edge over Gladiators with three wins to two.
Overall, the two sides have faced off 23 times in PSL history, with Peshawar winning 13 matches and Quetta 10.
Quetta Gladiators Playing XI
Finn Allen, Hasan Nawaz, Kusal Mendis (wk), Saud Shakeel (capt), Rilee Rossouw, Shoaib Malik, Faheem Ashraf, Kyle Jamieson, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Amir, Usman Tariq
Peshawar Zalmi Playing XI
Babar Azam (capt), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris (wk), Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Max Bryant, Mitchell Owen, Hussain Talat, Alzarri Joseph, Mohammad Ali, Sufiyan Muqeem, Ali Raza
