In a gripping Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 10 showdown at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, Peshawar Zalmi’s decision to bowl first against Lahore Qalandars paid off handsomely. The match, part of the 14th fixture of the tournament, saw the two-time champions Lahore Qalandars struggle massively with the bat, getting bowled out for just 128 runs in 19.2 overs.
Zalmi, led by Babar Azam, showed tactical brilliance and executed their bowling plans perfectly, exposing the cracks in Qalandars’ top and middle-order. Alzarri Joseph was the standout performer, spearheading the attack with a fiery spell that rattled the Qalandars early on.
Qalandars’ Collapse Starts Early
Put into bat after losing the toss, Lahore Qalandars were hoping for a solid start on a pitch that had something in it for both batters and bowlers. However, things went downhill right from the second over.
Star opener Fakhar Zaman, one of Qalandars’ most reliable batsmen, perished cheaply. He tried to take on Joseph but only managed 10 runs off eight balls before being cleaned up by a delivery that cut back in.
If that wasn’t enough, Luke Wood struck twice in the next over, removing Asif Ali for 5 and Daryl Mitchell for just 2. Both batsmen were guilty of poor shot selection, and suddenly, Lahore found themselves in trouble at 17/3.
The situation worsened during the powerplay, as two more wickets tumbled. By the end of the sixth over, Qalandars were reeling at 35/5, and the top order was completely dismantled.
Shaheen’s Promotion Fails to Spark Revival
In a bold move to stop the slide, Qalandars skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi promoted himself up the order to bat at number seven. But the decision didn’t bring much joy. Afridi played a few aggressive strokes but lasted only 10 balls, scoring 16 before falling in the eighth over.
With half the side gone and pressure mounting, it was up to the lower middle order to bring some respectability to the score.
Sikandar Raza Stands Tall Amid the Chaos
All-rounder Sikandar Raza, known for his resilience, put up a fight. He joined hands with Rishad Hossain to form a 23-run stand for the seventh wicket. Although short-lived, this partnership brought a sense of calm for a brief moment.
Hossain, however, couldn’t hang on for long and was caught behind off Alzarri Joseph in the 11th over after making a run-a-ball 13 that included a boundary and a six.
Raza, holding the innings together, then stitched a 36-run stand with Haris Rauf, who chipped in with a cautious 10 off 14 balls before being bowled by Arif Yaqoob in the 16th over.
Raza’s lone resistance ended in the final over, but not before he scored a gutsy 52 off 36 balls, with five fours and three sixes. He emerged as the top scorer for Lahore Qalandars and ensured his side at least crossed the 120-run mark.
Zalmi’s Bowling Unit Delivers Big
While Raza fought hard, it was Peshawar Zalmi’s bowlers who controlled the narrative. Alzarri Joseph was electric with the ball, taking 3 wickets for just 16 runs in his 4-over spell. His pace, line, and length kept the batters guessing throughout.
Luke Wood and Hussain Talat chipped in with two wickets each, while Arif Yaqoob and Ali Raza claimed a wicket apiece. Collectively, Zalmi’s bowlers kept things tight and never allowed Lahore to build any meaningful momentum.
With only 129 runs to chase, Peshawar Zalmi were in a commanding position going into the second innings. Lahore Qalandars, known for their strong bowling attack, would need a magical performance to defend the low total.
The game highlighted serious concerns for Qalandars’ top order and tactical choices under pressure. Meanwhile, Peshawar Zalmi’s clinical bowling and smart captaincy continue to build momentum in PSL 10.
