Lahore Qalandars vs Peshawar Zalmi: Peshawar Zalmi commenced their PSL 2025 campaign with a dominant seven-wicket victory against Lahore Qalandars at the Gaddafi Stadium. A masterful bowling performance spearheaded by Alzarri Joseph, complemented by calm half-centuries from Babar Azam and Hussain Talat, made the chase a cakewalk after Lahore were kept to 129.
Collapse of Lahore Qalandars After Early Promise
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Choosing to bat first following the loss of the toss in the PSL 2025, Lahore Qalandars vs Peshawar Zalmi encounter, the hosts had a wobbly beginning. Fakhar Zaman provided fleeting hope with two early boundaries, but then the top order fell apart. Alzarri Joseph and Luke Wood tore through the order, leaving Qalandars at 21 for 4 within the powerplay.
Raza’s Lone Resistance
Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza, celebrating his birthday, mounted a gritty comeback with a well-made 52 off 37 balls. He had little support from the lower order but took his team to a somewhat decent total. Raza aimed bowlers such as Arif Yaqoob and Mitchell Owen, taking the Qalandars past 120 with a couple of measured shots.
But the death overs did not go in Lahore’s favor. Joseph bowled a tight 18th over, giving just two runs. The 19th over by Ali Raza held back Raza’s strike, and anger caused Raza’s wicket on the very first ball of the 20th over. Qalandars were bowled out soon, leaving a below-par target of 129.
Babar and Talat Seal the Chase for Peshawar Zalmi
The quest for 130 was never to be an arduous journey for a team full of batting talent. Irrespective of initial wickets by Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, who left Zalmi tottering at 40 for 3, Babar Azam and Hussain Talat did not buckle under the pressure.
Match-Winning Stand
The duo set an uninterrupted 93-run partnership, timing the innings well and making sure there were no more hitches. Babar was left on 56 not out, while Talat provided able support with a run-a-ball 51*. The measured approach helped Zalmi chase down the target in 20 balls, making a bold assertion at the beginning of the season.
Bowling Highlights
– Alzarri Joseph: 3 for 15 – lethal during the powerplay and at death
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– Luke Wood: 2 for 25 – most crucial in disintegrating the top order
– Hussain Talat: 2 for 18 – performed with both bat and ball
Score Summary
Peshawar Zalmi: 133/3 in 16.4 overs
– Babar Azam: 56*
– Hussain Talat: 51*
– Shaheen Afridi: 2 for 22
Lahore Qalandars: 129 all out in 19.2 overs
– Sikandar Raza: 52 (37)
– Alzarri Joseph: 3 for 15
– Luke Wood: 2 for 25
– Hussain Talat: 2 for 18
The PSL 2025, Lahore Qalandars vs Peshawar Zalmi match brought out the depth and balance of Zalmi as they dominated Qalandars in every department. With good performances by Joseph, Babar, and Talat, Peshawar has set a strong early benchmark for the rest of the tournament.
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