Babar 71* helps Zalmi extend lead at top

KARACHI
Sufiyan Muqeem and Babar Azam propelled dominant Peshawar Zalmi into the playoffs with a decisive eight-wicket win over Quetta Gladiators in the 23rd match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 here at the National Bank Stadium on Wednesday.
Zalmi chased down a mere target of 154 in 18.3 overs, losing wickets in the process.
Earlier, Peshawar Zalmi’s spinner Sufiyan Muqeem and pacer Mohammad Basit’s three-wicket haul bundled out Quetta Gladiators for a modest total
Put in to bat first, Quetta Gladiators’ shambolic batting display saw their innings folded for 154 in 20 overs.
The Gladiators lost their promoted opener, Ahsan Ali, for four in the first over. Following the early wicket, Saud Shakeel and Rilee Rossouw added 35 for the second wicket partnership. The scorecard read 39 when skipper Saud was run out after making 16 from 13 balls.
Peshawar Zalmi continued to chip away with wickets at regular intervals. Rossouw (26 off 18 balls) was cleaned up by Sufiyan Muqeem, whereas Shamyl Hussain departed for 12.
Consequently, Gladiators were 86-4 in 11.4 overs. The only silver lining was Hassan Nawaz, who top-scored with 37 off 35, including four boundaries. He was involved in a brief 26-run stand with Khawaja Nafay before getting caught behind.
Nafay could not get going as well and was lbw for 20.
Peshawar Zalmi bowlers squeezed the runs flow and eventually bowled the opposition out on the final ball of the innings.
For Peshawar Zalmi, Sufiyan Muqeem and Mohammad Basit shared six wickets between them.