Pakistan Super League 2019: Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Gladiators - Report

Quetta Gladiators have got off to a perfect start in the fourth edition of the Pakistan Super League. Sarfraz Ahmed-led side won the third match of the league against Peshawar Zalmi by six wickets. Pakistan talented batsman Umar Akmal scored a fine knock of unbeaten 75 runs off just 50 balls to help his team chase down the target of 156 runs with two balls to spare.

Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Gladiators – Peshawar Zalmi innings:

Peshawar Zalmi posted 155 runs after Sarfraz Ahmed won the toss and opted to bowl first. However, Zalmi could not get off to a good start as Andre Fletcher was plumbed in front by Mohammad Irfan. Meanwhile, Shoaib Maqsood and Kamran Akmal added 64 runs for the second wicket.

Akmal was the aggressor as the wicketkeeper-batsman scored 49 off 36 balls laced with five fours and three sixes. However, Shoaib Maqsood could not get going as he took 29 balls for scoring 26 runs.

Meanwhile, Misbah-ul-Haq gave the much-needed impetus to the Zalmi innings as the former Pakistan skipper scored 49 runs from 32 balls. The veteran right-hander smashed four fours and two sixes in his blistering knock. The Windies power-hitter Kieron Pollard was dismissed after scoring three runs by Mohammad Nawaz.

Furthermore, England batsman Liam Dawson provided the finishing touches to the innings as he scored 21 runs from 14 balls. On the other hand, Mohammad Nawaz was the pick of the Quetta Gladiators bowlers as he scalped two wickets. Furthermore, Nawaz gave away 25 runs in his four overs quota.

Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Gladiators – Quetta Gladiators innings:

Quetta Gladiators didn’t get off to a great start as they lost the wicket on the first ball of the second innings. Hasan Ali plumbed Ahmed Shahzad in front of the wickets. Meanwhile, the inform Shane Watson was also dismissed soon after. Gladiators were in a spot of bother when they lost their third wicket in the form Rilee Rossouw after getting 71 runs on the board.

However, Umar Akmal was able to turn the table in favor of Quetta Gladiators. Akmal scored a fine knock of 75 runs off just 50 balls. Furthermore, Sarfraz Ahmed gave good support to Akmal as the Pakistan captain scored 37 runs from 29 balls. Both the right-handers added an alliance of 62 runs.

Meanwhile, Wahab Riaz scalped two wickets for Peshawar Zalmi and conceded only 18 runs in his allotted four overs. However, Zalmi could not defend their target as Akmal brought out his best.

Brief Scores: Peshawar Zalmi: 155-4, Misbah-ul-Haq 49 (32), Mohammad Nawaz: 2-25.

Quetta Gladiators: 161-4, Umar Akmal: 75 (50), Wahab Riaz: 4-18.