Faheem’s fifer helps Gladiators thump Zalmi

LAHORE: Faheem Ashraf bagged a fifer as Quetta Gladiators beat Peshawar Zalmi by 64 runs in the 17th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 on Sunday at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Set to chase 179, the Zalmi were bowled out for 114 in 15.2 overs after Quetta Gladiators posted 178/7 on the scoreboard.

Peshawar Zalmi’s opening pair of Babar Azam and Saim Ayub once again failed to show up for the side as Ayub fell to Faheem Ashraf in just the second over of their innings after scoring just five runs.

His opening partner, Babar Azam, was the next to follow after scoring 12 runs.

Tom Kohler-Cadmore made five in his short stay at the crease, while Mohammad Haris departed after scoring 17 runs.

Abdul Samad became Faheem Ashraf’s third victim after scoring two runs, as half of Peshawar Zalmi’s batting lineup went back to the dugout on 50 in 7.3 overs.

Mitchell Owen contributed 15 in the chase, while Alzarri Joseph was dismissed on a duck.

Hussain Talat remained the highest run-getter for the losing side, having scored 39 off 34 balls.

Apart from Faheem Ashraf’s fifer, Khurram Shahzad starred with two wickets while Mohammad Amri, Mohammad Wasim Jr, and Abrar Ahmed took one wicket each.

Batting first, the Gladiators got off to a decent start as their openers, Finn Allen and Saud Shakeel provided them a 46-run opening stand.

Allen fell to Alzarri Joseph in the fifth over after scoring 31 off 16 deliveries with the help of four fours and two sixes.

The Quetta Gladiators captain was then involved in a 45-run partnership with Rilee Rossouw before Saim Ayub dismissed both of them in successive overs.

Saud Shakeel made 26 off 32, while Rossouw made 27 off 18 deliveries, hitting as many boundaries.

With the scoreboard showing 105/3 in 11.2 overs, Kusal Mendis and Mark Chapman stitched a 39-run partnership before Mendis departed after scoring 32 off 27.

Chapman made 33 off 26 deliveries as Quetta Gladiators finished at 178/7 in their 20 overs.

For Peshawar Zalmi, Alzarri Joseph took three wickets while Saim Ayub picked up a couple.

Playing XIs

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris (wk), Tom Kohler Cadmore, Hussain Talat, Mitch Owen, Abdul Samad, Luke Wood, Alzari Joseph, Sufyan Muqeem, and Ali Raza.

Quetta Gladiators: Saud Shakeel (c), Abrar Ahmed, Hassan Nawaz, Kusal Mendis (wk), Mark Chapman, Rilee Rossouw, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Faheem Ashraf, Khurram Shahzad, and Fin Allen.

Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators are in fourth and fifth positions, respectively, having four points each.

Defending champions Islamabad United top the PSL 10 standings with 10 points in five matches.

The 10th edition of the Pakistan Super League kicked off on April 11 and will run till May 18.

The six-team tournament will consist of 34 matches with Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium hosting 13 matches, including the two Eliminators and the final.

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will host 11 PSL 10 matches, including the first Qualifier on May 13, while Multan Cricket Stadium will host five matches.

Karachi’s National Bank Stadium has hosted five games of the ongoing edition.