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PSL 2023: Saim Ayub and Babar Azam power Zalmi to crushing win over Lahore Qalandars

Saim Ayub and Babar Azam | Photo: PCB

Saim Ayub was the star of the show with his blistering 36-ball 68 runs along with Babar Azam’s 41-ball 50 runs, as Peshawar Zalmi secured a comfortable 35-run victory against Lahore Qalandars in the 23rd match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) on Tuesday at the Pindi Cricket Stadium.

Ayub’s impressive knock of 68 runs off just 36 balls was instrumental in the team’s victory, with the bowlers also putting on a strong performance.

Peshawar Zalmi are curently at number four positions at the PSL points table with three more matches remaining. With performances like today, the prospects for the team to proceed to PSL playoffs are solid.

PESHAWAR ZALMI’S INNINGS

Peshawar Zalmi put on an impressive batting display after opting to bat in their match against Lahore Qalandars in the marquee tournament. Saim Ayub and Babar Azam formed a formidable partnership, with the pair taking the score to 107 off just 66 deliveries. Saim Ayub was particularly impressive, smashing eight boundaries and three sixes in his 36-ball knock to reach a score of 68, while Babar Azam contributed a belligerent 50 off 41 balls, with four boundaries and two sixes.

Tom Kohler-Cadmore also showed his prowess with the bat, scoring a quickfire 36 off just 16 balls, hitting two fours and three sixes. However, the rest of the Peshawar Zalmi batting order struggled, with Haseebullah Khan (12), Mohammad Haris (9), Rovman Powell (9), Aamer Jamal (5), Azmatullah Omarzai (0), Wahab Riaz (0) and Arshad Iqbal (1) failing to make a significant impact.

Qalandars’ captain Shaheen Shah Afridi led the bowling attack with four wickets, while Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan, and Rashid Khan took two wickets each. Sikandar Raza and David Wiese remained wicketless and conceded 21 and 39 runs respectively. Overall, Peshawar Zalmi’s strong batting performance led them to a commanding total against Lahore Qalandars.

LAHORE QALANDARS’ INNINGS

The Qalandars started their chase of 207, but unfortunately were unable to achieve the target, being bundled out for 172. Only Hussain Talat and Shaheen Shah Afridi put up a significant fight. Talat scored 63 off 37, hitting four boundaries and five towering sixes, while Afridi made 52 off 36 with three boundaries and five maximums.

Sikandar Raza also contributed a quick 20 off just seven balls. However, the rest of the Qalandars batting line-up, including Shawaiz Irfan, Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Sam Billings, David Wiese, Rashid Khan, Haris Rauf, and Zman Khan, failed to show any significant resistance.

Wahab Riaz was the standout bowler for Peshawar Zalmi, claiming three wickets for just 17 runs. He was well supported by Arshad Iqbal, who also took three wickets for 27 runs. Azmatullah Omarzai picked up two wickets, while Aamer Jamal managed to bag one wicket. However, Mujeeb was expensive, conceding 44 runs and failing to pick up any wickets.

Match Scorecard: Lahore Qalandars vs Peshawar Zalmi full scorecard today

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