||Desk Report||

The Quetta Gladiators clinched their first victory in the fourth edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) beating Peshawar Zalmi by 6 wickets in Dubai on Friday.

After winning the toss Quetta invited Peshawar to bat first. In their innings, Peshawar posted 155 for 4 within 20 overs. Kamran Akmal and Misbahul Haq scored 49 each. Among others, Sohaib Maqsood scored 26 off 29 deliveries and Liam Dawson scored 21 off 14 balls.

Peshawar got the first blow when Mohammad Irfan removed Andre Fletcher for 13. The opener added only one run for his side. However, Kamran Akmal took the charge and made a 76-run partnership in the second-wicket-stand with Sohaib Maqsood. Akmal was stopped by Mohammad Nawaz for 49.

After then, experienced Misbah-ul-Haq started with Sohaib Maqsood but Ghulam Mudassar picked up Maqsood for 26. Kieron Pollard became the second victim of Mohammad Nawaz and returned for 3.

Then, Liam Dawson came to the crease and stood with Misbah. The pair added 53 runs and remained unbeaten. Mohammad Nawaz dismissed two Zalmi batsmen, while Ghulam Mudassir and Irfan Junior took one wicket each.

In reply, Quetta scored 161 for 4 and clinched the win within 19.4 overs. Umar Akmal’s unbeaten 75 off 50 deliveries handed the team first win in this PSL season. However, Quetta lost early wickets as Hasan Ali sent back Ahmed Shehzad for the duck. Then, Shane Watson and Rilee Rossouw added 34 runs before Watson’s departure.

Umar Akmal came to the crease and started his stormy innings. In the meantime, Rilee Rossouw also returned for 19. Quetta captain Sarfaraz Ahmed then came to the crease and made a 62-run-stand with Akmal that led the team to the victory. Sarfaraz was removed by Riaz for 37, but Akmal was still on the crease.  

After, captain’s departure, Dwayne Smith came and stood with Akmal and ended the game within 19.4 overs. Umar Akmal was not out for 75 and Smith was unbeaten on 11. Riaz took two wickets for Zalmi while Mohammad Irfan Jnr and Ghulam Mudassar claimed one wicket each.  

Brief Score

Peshawar Zalmi: 155/4

Misbah 49*, Kamran 49, Nawaz 2-25