Peshawar Zalmi vs Lahore Qalandars Highlights: Peshawar Zalmi continued their fine form with the ball in hand. The Babar Azam-led side performed strongly with the ball in hand and showed why they are the only unbeaten team in the tournament so far. Michael Bracewell and Sufiyan Muqeem were the picks among the bowlers. Both spinners picked up three wickets each in the second innings. Nahid Rana picked up a couple of wickets as well, while Aamer Jamal and Shoriful Islam returned with a wicket each next to their names. The Lahore Qalandars batters put on a disappointing performance, with six batters registering a single-digit score.
Earlier, Babar Azam (43) and Kusal Mendis (74) continued their fine form from the previous game for Peshawar Zalmi. Meanwhile, for Lahore Qalandars, Shaheen Afridi picked up three wickets. Mustafizur Rahman too picked up a couple of wickets. The two right-handed batters shared a 109-run stand for the second wicket.
Toss Update: Lahore Qalandars won the toss and decided to bowl first at National Stadium in Karachi.
Peshawar Zalmi, the only team that is still undefeated in the ongoing PSL season, will take on defending champions Lahore Qalandars. It will be a clash between two of the greatest Pakistani players from the current generation. While Babar Azam will lead the Peshawar-based side, Shaheen Afridi will aim to get the Qalandars back to winning ways. The clash would feature a strong line-up of players as the Pakistan Super League gets closer to its business end.
Zalmi are coming into this game having registered a huge win against the Karachi Kings. It was an all-round effort from the team, with Kusal Mendis becoming the first Sri Lankan batter to score a century in the league. Meanwhile, the Lahore-based side lost to Islamabad United in their previous game by nine wickets.
Peshawar Zalmi Preview
Peshawar Zalmi remains the only team to have not been defeated in the ongoing season of the Pakistan Super League. Boasting the likes of Babar Azam and Kusal Mendis at the top of the order, the team has one of the strongest batting lineups in the league. Babar has scored 169 runs in three innings while going at a strike rate of 145.68. Meanwhile, Kusal has 167 runs next to his name, striking at above 180 in three innings. In the bowling department, it is Iftikhar Ahmed and Sufiyan Muqeem who have been the highest wicket-takers. The two spinners have picked up seven wickets each in the season. Iftikhar has been better than his bowling partner, going at an economy of only 4.86 runs per over.
Lahore Qalandars Preview
Lahore Qalandars started their season with a 69-run win over Hyderabad Kingsmen. However, a ball-tampering controversy marred their season in their defeat to Karachi Kings in the following clash. The controversy saw their batter Fakhar Zaman being banned for two games in the PSL, which he has served. In Fakhar’s absence, the Qalandars lost and won a game each. With Zaman being available for selection for this clash, Shaheen Afridi would look to bring his star batter back in the squad as they face a tough challenge in the form of Peshawar Zalmi.
Peshawar Zalmi Squad
Babar Azam (C), Mohammad Haris, Kusal Mendis(w), Michael Bracewell, Abdul Samad, Farhan Yousaf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Aamer Jamal, Sufiyan Muqeem, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana, Aaron Hardie, Khalid Usman, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Shahnawaz Dahani, Khurram Shahzad, Brian Bennett, Mirza Tahir Baig, Ali Raza, Abdul Subhan, Kashif Ali, Mohammad Basit
Lahore Qalandars Squad
Shaheen Afridi (C), Haseebullah Khan(w), Mohammad Naeem, Abdullah Shafique, Rubin Hermann, Sikandar Raza, Asif Ali, Ryan Burl, Haris Rauf, Ubaid Shah, Mustafizur Rahman, Fakhar Zaman, Usama Mir, Daniel Sams, Dunith Wellalage, Parvez Hossain Emon, Maaz Khan, Tayyab Tahir, Mohammad Farooq