PSL 2025, Match 2 Review: Quetta Gladiators defeat Peshawar Zalmi by 80 runs thanks to their all-around performance

The Quetta Gladiators defeated Peshawar Zalmi by 80 runs on Saturday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, putting on a strong effort in their PSL 2025 debut. The Gladiators’ openers gave them a strong start to their innings when they were chosen to bat first.

From the first delivery, captain Saud Shakeel and Finn Allen began hammering the bowl, putting together an 88-run partnership for the first wicket in just 6.6 overs. Allen scored 53 runs with five fours and four sixes off of just 25 balls. He hit Zalmi’s Sufiyan Muqeem for three sixes and a four in the seventh over before eventually succumbing to the same bowler.

Shakeel maintained the pace, scoring 59 from 42 deliveries. Through the middle overs, Hasan Nawaz contributed 41 (32) to keep the scorecard moving. In their allocated 20 overs, Rilee Rossouw and Kusal Mendis amassed 58 runs off the last 23 balls, with Mendis scoring an undefeated 35 off just 14 balls, bringing the total to 216/3. Ali Raza, Muqeem, and Alzarri Joseph each took a wicket for Zalmi.

In response, Peshawar Zalmi chase started when their captain, Babar Azam, gave Mohammad Amir a duck in the first over. The rest of the batting lineup crumbled under strain, despite Saim Ayub, who was back in the lineup, scoring 50 off 38 balls.

Quetta Gladiators won the game thanks to Abrar Ahmed.

He was brought on early and got rid of Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Mohammad Haris in the same over. Even with a quick appearance from Mitchell Owen (31 off 13), the target appeared unrealistic as the Peshawar-based team lost 6 wickets for just 24 runs. Abrar destroyed the opposition’s middle and lower order with final numbers of 4 for 42. With two wickets apiece from Usman Tariq and Amir, Peshawar was bowled out for 136 in 15.1 overs.