Lahore: Peshawar Zalmi secured a hard-fought victory against defending champions Lahore Qalandars by 8 runs in the 12th match of the tournament.
Facing a daunting target of 212 runs set by Peshawar Zalmi, Lahore Qalandars fought valiantly but fell short, managing to score 203 runs in their allotted 20 overs, despite a stellar century by Rassie van der Dussen.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Peshawar Zalmi capitalized on Lahore Qalandars’ decision as they posted a formidable total of 211 runs for the loss of 4 wickets. Openers Babar Azam and Saim Ayub laid a solid foundation with a partnership of 136 runs, with Saim contributing an impressive 88 runs while Babar scored 48. Romain Paul’s brisk innings of 46 off 20 balls further bolstered Zalmi’s total.
In response, Lahore Qalandars showcased resilience, with van der Dussen’s breathtaking century – the first of HBL PSL 9 – comprising 104 runs featuring 6 sixes and 7 fours. However, despite his heroic effort, Qalandars couldn’t secure their first victory in the tournament. Contributions from other Qalandars’ batsmen such as Shai Hope, Ahsan Hafeez, and Sahebzada Farhan were not enough to overhaul the target.
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Naveen ul Haq led the bowling attack for Zalmi, claiming 2 crucial wickets, while Luke Wood, Paul Walter, and Salman Irshad chipped in with one wicket each.
The defeat marks Lahore Qalandars’ fifth consecutive loss in PSL 9, highlighting their struggles in the current season. On the other hand, Peshawar Zalmi’s victory propels them forward, having won 2 out of 4 matches played so far.
In earlier action on Sunday, Multan Sultans secured their fourth victory in the tournament by defeating Quetta Gladiators by 13 runs in a closely contested match.