Skipper Babar Azam gave a phenomenal half-century to guide Peshawar Zalmi continue their unbeaten streak in the PSL as they romped to an 8-wicket win against Quetta Gladiators in Karachi on Wednesday.
Babar’s stellar 71 in 51 balls (10 fours) enabled Peshawar to complete the chase of 154 with nine ball remaining after Mohammad Basit (4-0-36-3) and Sufyan Moqim (4-0-25-3) claimed six wickets as Quetta struggled for runs.
With the comfortable victory on Wednesday, Peshawar lead the table with 13 points from seven matches — six ahead of second-placed Multan Sultans (eight points from six matches).
Islamabad United, three-time champions, stay third with seven points from six matches and Karachi Kings fourth with six points from five.
Please note that the top four teams in the eight-team circle will qualify for the playoffs.
Babar’s 100th half-century in the game was registered on Wednesday.
After adding 75 runs for the opening stand with Mohammad Haris (35 off 28 balls) at an impressive pace, Babar didn’t take unnecessary risks as he hit some superb shots to guide his side home safely.
Basit, with the medium-pace and left-arm spinner Moqim gave brilliant spells earlier not letting a Quetta batter get his feet in.
Hasan Nawaz (37) scored the lowest for Quetta, but none of the rest of the batters could handle Basit and Moqim’s brilliance.
Quetta, despite the loss, retained their fifth position and kept alive their hopes of a playoff berth with four points from six matches.
Brief scores:
Peshawar Zalmi beat Quetta Gladiators by eight wickets at National Bank Stadium, Karachi
Quetta Gladiators 154 all out, 20 overs (Hasan Nawaz 37, Rilee Rossouw 26, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay 20; Sufyan Moqim 3-25, Mohammad Basit 3-36)
Peshawar Zalmi 156-2, 18.3 overs (Babar Azam 71 not out, Mohammad Haris 35, Kusal Mendis 21)
Player of the Match: Sufyan Moqim (Peshawar Zalmi)