KARACHI: 2017 champions Peshawar Zalmi stunned arch-rivals Quetta Gladiators by eight wickets in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11th 23rd match at the National Bank Stadium on Wednesday.

Zalmi skipper Babar Azam’s decision to field first paid off as the Gladiators could muster a modest 154 before being bowled out in 20 overs.

Middle-order batsman Hasan Nawaz remained the top scorer for the previous edition’s runner-up with 37 off 35 balls, followed by Riley Rossouw and Khawaja Nafe with 26 and 20 respectively.

For Zalmi, Subian Mukeem and Abdul Basit took three wickets, but the former was too frugal as he conceded just 24 runs in his four overs, while the pacer conceded 36 runs. Iftikhar Ahmed on the other hand was caught in a scalp.

In turn, captain Babar’s unbeaten fifty made light work of the leaders as they chased down the target of 155 runs with the loss of just 2 wickets and 9 balls.

Babur oversaw Zalmi’s comfortable run chase with an unbeaten 71 off 51 balls with 10 fours.

He was supported by fellow top-order batsmen Mohammad Haris (35) and Gusal Mendis (21), while all-rounder Aaron Hardy scored an unbeaten 18 as he helped Zalmi guide over the line in the last over.

Pacer Alsari Joseph and skipper Saud Shakeel could claim a wicket each for Gladiators.

With the win by eight wickets, Peshawar Zalmi remained unbeaten in the eight-team tournament and confirmed their top spot with 13 points after seven games.

Quetta Gladiators, on the other hand, are fifth with four points with a game less to play, ahead of debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen and defending champions Lahore Qalandars due to better net run rate as all three teams have four points each.

2021 champions Multan Sultans are second with eight points after six matches, followed by Islamabad United and Karachi Kings with seven and six points respectively.

Meanwhile, Rawalpindis, another debutant who is yet to register a win in the ongoing PSL 11, is at the bottom with zero points after five games.

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