LAHORE: Peshawar Zalmi needed a leader to step up, and captain Babar Azam answered the call with a composed, unbeaten half-century that guided his side to a comfortable seven-wicket win over Lahore Qalandars at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.
Chasing a modest but tricky target of 130, Babar anchored the innings with a fluent 56*, sealing Zalmi’s second victory of the season. He received solid support from Hussain Talat, who contributed an unbeaten 51, as the pair shared a match-winning 93-run partnership, getting the job done with 20 balls to spare.
The foundation for Zalmi’s win was laid by their impressive pace attack, which ripped through the Qalandars’ top order, reducing them to 34-5 early in the innings. Despite a valiant 52 from Sikandar Raza, Lahore were bowled out for 129 in 19.2 overs after being sent in to bat.
Qalandars briefly threatened during Zalmi’s chase, striking early blows to reduce them to 40-3. But Babar remained unfazed, hitting seven fours and a six in his 42-ball knock. Hussain, who also picked up two wickets with the ball, finished the game in style with a boundary off Haris Rauf to bring up his fifty off 37 balls.
With this win, Zalmi moved level on four points with the Qalandars, though still behind on net run rate. Both teams have played five matches so far.
First Innings: Lahore Collapse Despite Raza’s Resistance
Zalmi’s pace battery came out firing from the start. Alzarri Joseph struck first, dismissing Fakhar Zaman for 10 after the left-hander had hit two early boundaries. Luke Wood then trapped Asif Ali lbw before removing Daryl Mitchell with a short ball.
Joseph returned to dismiss Abdullah Shafique for a duck in a wicket-maiden, and young Ali Raza joined the party by removing Sam Billings as the Qalandars slumped to 34-5 in the powerplay.
Captain Shaheen Afridi briefly counterattacked with a six off Wood but fell soon after to Hussain Talat. Raza kept Qalandars afloat with aggressive strokeplay, reaching his half-century in just 30 balls with two sixes and five fours.
However, with little support from the lower order, Qalandars could only manage 129. Joseph finished with 3-16, while Wood and Hussain took two wickets apiece.
Second Innings: Babar and Hussain Finish the Job
Qalandars needed early breakthroughs to defend the low total, and Shaheen delivered by removing Saim Ayub in the opening over. Haris Rauf then bowled Tom Kohler-Cadmore with a brilliant inswinger, and Shaheen returned to dismiss Mohammad Haris after a quick cameo.
At 40-3, the match was still in the balance, but Babar and Hussain took control. Babar overturned an LBW decision via review and brought up his fifty in the 14th over, while Hussain’s composed knock saw Zalmi home comfortably.
Score Summary:
Lahore Qalandars: 129 all out (19.2 overs)
- Sikandar Raza 52, Rishad Hossain 13
- Joseph 3-16, Wood 2-25, Hussain 2-18
Peshawar Zalmi: 133-3 (16.4 overs)
- Babar Azam 56*, Hussain Talat 51*
- Shaheen Afridi 2-22, Haris Rauf 1-39
Result: Peshawar Zalmi won by 7 wickets
Player of the Match: Alzarri Joseph
