LAHORE: The second match of PSL 9 witnessed a batting masterclass from Quetta Gladiators, who posted a mammoth 206-5 against Peshawar Zalmi at Gaddafi Stadium. Openers Jason Roy and Saud Shakeel stole the show with a record-breaking 139-run stand, laying the foundation for a dominant batting performance.
Roy, the English powerhouse, kickstarted the innings with a boundary off the very first ball. Joined by the solid Shakeel, the duo unleashed a flurry of boundaries, reaching the 100-run mark in just 10 overs. Roy reached his fifty in 33 balls with a booming six, while Shakeel followed suit in 36, showcasing their attacking intent.
Their dominance continued before a lapse in concentration led to Shakeel’s dismissal for 74, including four sixes and ten boundaries. However, the momentum didn’t fade as skipper Rilee Rossouw smashed a six off his first delivery. But his cameo was short-lived, dismissed by Mohammad Zeeshan.
The ever-aggressive Roy continued to punish the Zalmi bowlers, reaching a well-made 75 with nine boundaries and two sixes before departing in the 18th over. Sherfane Rutherford and Mohammad Wasim provided late cameos, pushing the score beyond the 200-run mark.
Peshawar Zalmi’s bowling attack struggled, with only Salman Irshad (3-38) managing multiple wickets. The rest of the bowlers conceded heavily, putting significant pressure on their batting lineup in pursuit of this challenging total.
With a mountain to climb, Zalmi’s batsmen face a daunting task. Can Babar Azam lead his team to an improbable victory, or will Quetta Gladiators defend their massive total and secure their first win? The stage is set for a thrilling encounter in Lahore!
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Peshawar Zalmi Playing XI: Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Tom Kohler-Cadmore (wk), Mohammad Haris, Rovman Powell, Asif Ali, Dan Mousley, Aamer Jamal, Luke Wood, Salman Irshad and Muhammad Zeeshan.
Quetta Gladiators Playing XI: Jason Roy, Khawaja Nafay, Rilee Rossouw (c), Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Sherfane Rutherford, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Mohammad Hasnain, Abrar Ahmed, Akeal Hosein, Mohammad Amir.
