KARACHI, Jan 28 ( Asia Free Press): Covid-hit Peshawar Zalmi has claimed their first victory in the 2nd match of the HBL PSL 7 after defeating Quetta Gladiator by 5 wickets at National Stadium Karachi.
Quetta Gladiator, despite losing the toss got to bat first and scored a huge total of 190-4 in 20 overs. The debutant Ahsan Ali and England-based Will Smeed provided a 155 runs opening wicket partnership to set a high target for Peshawar Zalmi.
Ahsan scored 73 of 46 deliveries, including 8 fours and 3 massive sixes in his knock while Smeed, who awarded Man of the Match, scored 97 runs facing 62 balls, hitting 11 fours and 4 gigantic sixes.
Usman Qadir, conceded only 20 runs in his spell while he took two wickets. Peshawar Zalmi bowlers did not perform well, Sohail Khan was the most expensive bowler from PZ who conceded 51 runs in his spell without claiming any wicket. Sameen Gul took two wickets in his four-over spell conceded 41 runs.
While chasing the huge total, the conditions for Zalmi, who already were three men down, skipper Wahab Riaz, wicket-keeper batter Kamran Akmal, and a hard-hitter opener Hazratullah Zazai due to coronavirus, seemed unfavourable but Malik, the stand-in captain, did not let that overshadow the Zalmis as he and Hussain Talat led the team to victory.
Malik hit an unbeaten knock of 48 runs while Talat scored 52 runs facing just 29 balls. Besides, the debutant from PZ Yasir Khan, who played as an opener, scored a quick 30 runs while facing just 12 balls.
Mohammad Nawaz picked up three wickets in his four-over spell, while James Faulkner and Naseem Shah were able to take a wicket each.
Ahsan Raza and Michael Gough were the field upmires where as Shozaib Raza was the TV umpire and Muhammad Javed performed the duty of Match Referee.
On January 29, two matches will be scheduled where in first Multan Sultans will face Lahore Qalandar at 2:30 pm and Karachi Kings will face Quetta Gladiator in the 2nd match of the day at 7:30 pm at National Stadium Karachi.
