HBL PSL X: Zalmi collapse in must-win clash as Qalandars advance to playoffs

Qalandars posted 149 in 13 overs, and Zalmi crumbled under pressure to lose by 26 runs in a rain-hit PSL clash.

Fakhar Zaman’s explosive batting and Salman Mirza’s fiery four-wicket haul powered Lahore Qalandars to a dominant win over Peshawar Zalmi, securing their spot in the HBL PSL X playoffs on Sunday in Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Chasing a daunting target, Peshawar Zalmi never looked in control and crumbled under the pressure of a climbing run rate.

Zalmi had a shaky start, losing three wickets within the Powerplay (first four overs), and their troubles deepened when Babar Azam also fell after scoring just 16.

Daniel Sams and Ahmed Daniyal offered brief resistance with knocks of 26 and 24 respectively, but it was never going to be enough, as Zalmi were restricted to just 123.

Lahore Qalandars registered a crucial 26-run win to seal their place in the PSL X playoffs.

Salman Mirza was the standout performer with the ball, claiming four key wickets, while skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi also chipped in with two important breakthroughs.

Earlier, heavy rain delayed the start of play by more than two hours, with the match subsequently reduced to 13 overs per side.

As per the revised playing conditions, three bowlers will be allowed to bowl a maximum of three overs each, while two bowlers may bowl up to two overs. The Powerplay has also been shortened to the first four overs (1–4) of the innings.

After being asked to bat first, Lahore Qalandars got off to a blazing start as both Mohammad Naeem and Fakhar Zaman took the attack to Zalmi’s bowlers, reaching 50 runs in just 3.1 overs.

Naeem was given a lifeline when Mohammad Haris dropped a sitter behind the stumps. However, the batter failed to capitalize on the chance and was dismissed on the very next delivery after scoring 22 off just 10 balls.

Fakhar Zaman, on the other hand, maintained his aggressive approach and brought up his half-century, keeping the run rate steady even as wickets fell regularly at the other end.

Abdullah Shafique, Kusal Perera, and Sikandar Raza were all dismissed cheaply. Asif Ali made a brief impact, smashing two consecutive sixes before being dismissed for 18 off six balls.

Fakhar's explosive innings came to an end when Daniel Sams knocked over his stumps. He scored 60 off 36 balls, hitting seven fours and three towering sixes.

Qalandars posted 149 for 8 in 13 overs, setting a competitive target and putting pressure on Zalmi to secure their playoff spot.

With the ball, Ahmed Daniyal stood out once again, claiming 2 wickets for 22 runs in his three overs. The rest of the Zalmi bowlers, however, were taken apart by the Qalandars’ top order.

Peshawar Zalmi XI: Babar Azam (Captain), Mohammad Haris (wk), Saim Ayub, Max Bryant, Maaz Sadaqat, Abdul Samad, Daniel Sams, Luke Wood, Mohammad Ali, Ahmed Daniyal, Ali Raza

Lahore Qalandars XI: Shaheen Afridi (Captain), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Naeem, Abdullah Shafique, Kusal Perera (wk), Sikandar Raza, Shakib Al Hasan, Asif Ali, Salman Mirza, Zaman Khan, Haris Rauf