PSL 8: Zalmi bludgeon Gladiators as Neesham, Qadir shine
Cricket
Iftikhar's half-century, Hasnain's fiery spell in vain
KARACHI (Web Desk) – James Neesham’s all-round performance and Usman Qadir’s magical spell stormed Peshawar Zalmi to four-wicket victory against Quetta Gladiators in the ninth match of the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at Karachi on Monday.
Chasing a target of 155, Zalmi were off to a shaky start following a blistering 9-ball 18 cameo from wicketkeeper Mohammad Haris. He smashed four boundaries in his brief knock.
Mohammad Hasnain was absolutely brilliant, cleaning up Mohammad Haris and Saim Ayub on successive deliveries. Saim Ayub made his way back to the pavilion without troubling the scorecard.
Skipper Babar Azam showed some resistance. But Mohammad Nawaz managed to trap him. Babar departed on 18-ball 19, studded with three boundaries.
Hasnain was once again managed to bag another wicket, but this time of Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who had shown his good form in the tournament. Cadmore could only managed to score 9-ball 9.
It was the partnership between New Zealander James Neesham and Rovman Powell that helped the Zalmi to sweep past the Gladiators.
Across 30 balls, 46 runs were plundered by Neesham and Powell.
Rovman Powell created a huge difference by slogging the leather in no time. Scoring 23-ball 36, Powell clobbered three fours and two sixes.
He was ably supported by James Neesham, who produced a scintillating knock of 23-ball 36, smashing four boundaries and two sixes.
Rovman Powell was cleaned up by Naseem Shah. Shah flummoxed Powell with a brilliant delivery. James Neesham was removed by Qais Ahmad.
The rest of the work was done by Dasun Shanaka (16 off 16) and Wahab Riaz (10 off 12), helping the Zalmi completing the equation in the 19th over.
Mohammad Hasnain (3-13) was the most successful bowler for the Gladiators, bagging three wickets. Hasnain was ably supported by Naseem Shah (1-19), Mohammad Nawaz (1-48) and Qais Ahmad (1-41), who took a scalp each.
Hafeez, who conceded only four runs, was only used by skipper Sarfaraz for just one over.
— Peshawar Zalmi (@PeshawarZalmi) February 20, 2023
Peshawar Zalmi restricted Quetta Gladiators to 154-4 in the domestic premium tournament.
Zalmi sent the Gladiators into bat, during which both the openers. Both Martin Guptill (12 off 16), centurion in his last game, and Jason Roy (14 off 23) struggled. Both of them, whacked two boundaries each.
The Zalmi’s bowlers straightaway lid the pressure on the Gladiators’ bowlers, cleaning up the three batters for just 37. Mohammad Nawaz was the next batter to depart, scoring 5-ball 2.
In the first six overs, Gladiators could only plunder 28, losing Guptill during this phase.
After early hiccup, it was a much-needed partnership from skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed (39 off 30) and Iftikhar Ahmed (50 off 34) that paved way for the Gladiators to reach fighting total. During this partnership, across 50 balls, 74 runs were plundered.
After Sarfaraz’s dismissal, Odean Smith played a blitzing knock for his unbeaten 12-ball 25, hammering four boundaries and a gigantic six.
Sarfaraz smashed five boundaries, while Iftikhar, who remained unbeaten, smacked two fours and four towering sixes.
Usman Qadir (2-28) was outstanding with the bowl and made things tough for the Gladiators’ batters. He bagged two wickets, cleaning up Jason Roy and Mohammad Nawaz.
Arshad Iqbal (1-37) and James Neesham (1-28) took a scalp each.
Zalmi opted to field first against Quetta Gladiators in the star-studded tournament.
Gladiators brought back veteran all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez, who was replacing Umar Akmal. But Hafeez had not been given the opportunity to bat as he was demoted.
Zalmi welcomed Dasun Shanaka into the playing XI for the first time.
— Peshawar Zalmi (@PeshawarZalmi) February 20, 2023
Quetta Gladiators: Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Hafeez, Odean Smith, Iftikhar Ahmed, Martin Guptill, Wahid Bangulzai, Jason Roy, Qais Ahmed
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
— Peshawar Zalmi (@PeshawarZalmi) February 20, 2023
