Peshawar Zalmi opened with captain Babar Azam and Saim Ayub to chase the enormous target. Mohammad Amir, a seasoned left-arm pacer, was given the new ball.
At the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday, April 12, Quetta Gladiators amassed a massive 216-run total in the second game of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025, which Peshawar Zalmi had to chase.
Amir gave up just two runs in his outstanding opening over. Crucially, he delivered a devastating blow by removing Babar Azam for a duck on the last ball of the over. Amir brought up some extra bounce with a slower, lengthier ball that angled across outside off and held a touch in the pitch.
Babar Azam attempted to drive, but at short cover, he ended up chipping it directly to Rilee Rossouw.
𝐔𝐇 𝐎𝐇 🫢🦆
Skipper departs for a duck!#HBLPSLX l #ApnaXHai l #PZvQG pic.twitter.com/FOu7PuEeRh— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) April 12, 2025
🥵🥵#HBLPSLX l #ApnaXHai l #PZvQG pic.twitter.com/lSPXQiUcSr
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) April 12, 2025
The Gladiators started the game well, with skipper Saud Shakeel leading the innings with a cool 59 and opening partner Finn Allen chipping in with a strong 53. A high-scoring innings was put in motion by the pair’s solid foundation.
Later in the innings, Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis gave Quetta a spectacular climax by blasting 35 off just 14 deliveries to propel them to 216/3 in their 20 overs, while Rilee Rossouw added a fast 21* off just 10 balls.
Ali Raza was the most notable bowler for Peshawar Zalmi, ending with statistics of 1 for 31 in his four overs. But the rest of the bowling attack was heavily hit. In their four-over periods, Alzarri Joseph went for 53 runs and Muhammad Ali gave up 57.
The Gladiators immediately tightened their hold and took three wickets in the first four overs after the early breakthrough set the tone. Hussain Talat and Saim Ayub are currently attempting to regain the momentum and turn it in Peshawar Zalmi’s advantage at the crease.