PSL 8: Gladiators ace record chase against Zalmi after Roy masterclass
Cricket
Babar Azam’s whirlwind 115 in vain
RAWALPINDI (Web Desk) – Jason Roy’s blistering unconquered 63-ball 145 and Mohammad Hafeez’s unbeaten quickfire 18-ball 41 powered Quetta Gladiators to record eight-wicket victory against Peshawar Zalmi in the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at Pindi Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
QUETTA GLADIATORS' INNINGS
Chasing a mammoth total of 241, Jason Roy immediately went after the Zalmi batters and left the spectators in awe with incredible innings. Roy’s innings was laced with 20 fours and five towering sixes.
Though losing Martin Guptill (21 off 8) early, Roy never stopped and was ably supported by Will Smeed, who scored 22-ball 26, clubbing one boundary and two sixes.
Mohammad Hafeez showed his class and experience by clobbering six boundaries and two maximum in 18 balls to smash an unbeaten 41.
The Zalmi bowlers even surpassed the Gladiators’ bowling attack in terms of conceding runs. Mujeeb (1-38) picked up a wicket. Wahab Riaz also took a scalp but was too expensive, conceding 56.
Other bowlers including Arshad Iqbal (0-55), Azmatullah Omarzai (0-35) and Aamer Jamal (0-56) remained wicketless.
— Quetta Gladiators (@TeamQuetta) March 8, 2023
PESHAWAR ZALMI'S INNINGS
Skipper Babar Azam’s staggering 65-ball 115 and Saim Ayub’s fiery 34-ball 71 powered Peshawar Zalmi to mammoth 240-2 against Quetta Gladiators in the 25th match of the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at Pindi Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
After opted to bat first, Babar Azam and Saim Ayub had flown along to second highest partnership in history of the marquee tournament. Across 81 balls, 162 runs were scored by the pair.
Babar Azam clubbed 15 fours and three sixes in 65 balls to smash a brilliant century before he was runout by Aimal Khan.
Saim Ayub whacked six boundaries and two maximums, before he was removed by Dwaine Pretorius.
Rovman Powell scored unconquered quickfire 18-ball 35, studding with three boundaries and two sixes.
Tom Kohler-Cadmore remained unbeaten on 3-ball 7, hitting a gigantic six to help the Zalmi posted the fourth highest total in the history of PSL.
The Gladiators bowlers were went for runs and it was only Pretorius who scooped up a wicket.
All other bowlers remained wicketless and went for runs.
— Peshawar Zalmi (@PeshawarZalmi) March 8, 2023
TOSS
Peshawar Zalmi opted to bat first against Quetta Gladiators in domestic premium tournament.
Sarfaraz Ahmed, who was injured during his last outing was not playing today. The Gladiators handed the gloves to Umar Akmal and Mohammad Nawaz was leading the visitors.
SQUADS
Peshawar Zalmi
Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Haseebullah Khan (wk), Rovman Powell, Aamer Jamal, Wahab Riaz, Azmatullah Omarzai, Arshad Iqbal, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman
— Peshawar Zalmi (@PeshawarZalmi) March 8, 2023
Quetta Gladiators
Martin Guptill, Jason Roy, Will Smeed, Iftikhar Alam, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Nawaz (c), Umar Akmal (wk), Dwaine Pretorius, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Aimal Khan
— Quetta Gladiators (@TeamQuetta) March 8, 2023
