- April 25, 2025
LQ vs PZ (Match – 14) – Highlights
Peshawar Zalmi secured their second victory of the tournament in dominant fashion, chasing down a modest 130-run target against Lahore Qalandars with seven wickets and 20 balls to spare at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Thursday night. After a disciplined bowling performance that dismantled the Qalandars’ batting order, Zalmi’s top order, led by captain Babar Azam and Hussain Talat, steered the team comfortably to victory with unbeaten half-centuries.
LQ, batting first, were rocked early by PZ’s speed assault, finding themselves battling at 35 for 5 by the conclusion of the Powerplay. Alzarri Joseph, who was named player of the match, set the tone with the ball, removing the dangerous Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique. Luke Wood followed up with an excellent over, dismissing Asif Ali and Daryl Mitchell in quick succession. The collapse continued when Ali Raza joined the party, taking out Sam Billings in the sixth over. The slide left Lahore reeling at 44 for 6 in the seventh over, with their skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi offering brief resistance, scoring 16 off 10 balls, before falling to Hussain Talat.
Sikandar Raza stood tall amidst the chaos, fighting back with a determined 52 off 37 balls, including five boundaries and three maximums. He stitched small yet important partnerships — 23 runs with Rishad Hossain, 36 with Haris Rauf, and 25 with Asif Afridi — to drag his team to a total of 129 in 19.2 overs. Despite his best efforts, the target looked insufficient against a strong Zalmi batting line-up. Peshawar’s bowling unit was clinical, with Joseph finishing with outstanding figures of 3 for 15 in four overs, while Luke Wood and Hussain Talat picked up two wickets apiece. Ali Raza and Arif Yaqoob also chipped in with a wicket each, contributing to a well-rounded effort from the bowling department.
In response, Zalmi’s chase didn’t get off to a smooth start as Lahore struck early blows, removing openers Saim Ayub and Tom Kohler-Cadmore in the first two overs with just 11 runs on the board. However, Mohammad Haris counterattacked with a brisk 20 off 16 balls, hitting a four and two sixes, before falling at the end of the fifth over. The turning point came when Babar Azam and Hussain Talat joined forces at 40 for 3. The duo showcased composure and class, crafting an unbeaten 83-run partnership that took their side over the line with ease. Both batters reached their respective fifties in 37 balls, with Babar ending unbeaten on 56 off 42 balls, including seven boundaries and a six, while Talat contributed a fluent 51 off 37, striking five fours and a six.
With this win, both Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi moved to four points each after five matches. The teams now sit at third and fourth on the points table respectively, with their campaigns delicately poised as they head into the second half of the tournament.
Lahore Qalandars vs Peshawar Zalmi Scoreboard
Lahore Qalandars – 129/10 (19.2)
Peshawar Zalmi – 133/3 (16.4)
Result – Peshawar Zalmi won by 7 wickets
Player of the match – Alzarri Joseph
Alzarri Joseph
LQ vs PZ Playing XIs
Lahore Qalandars | Fakhar Zaman, Asif Ali, Abdullah Shafique, Daryl Mitchell, Sam Billings, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sikandar Raza, Rishad Hossain, Haris Rauf, Asif Afridi, Mohammad Azab |
Peshawar Zalmi | Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Haris (wk), Ali Raza, Abdul Samad, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Hussain Talat, Luke Wood, Saim Ayub, Arif Yaqoob, Alzarri Joseph, Mitchell Owen |
Disclaimer: These Match highlights reflect the author’s insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the points discussed and form their own conclusions.
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