Babar, Sufiyan help Zalmi extend lead at the summit
Babar also completes his 100th fifty in T20s, becoming the fourth batsman of the world to achieve the milestone.
By Alam Zeb Safi
KARACHI: Captain Babar Azam struck a masterful unbeaten 71 to guide Peshawar Zalmi to a clinical eight-wicket victory over Quetta Gladiators at the National Stadium on Wednesday, virtually making them the first team to qualify for the 2026 Pakistan Super League playoffs.
The victory, Zalmi’s sixth of the campaign, takes them to 13 points at the top of the table. In contrast, Quetta Gladiators remain struggling with just four points from six matches, leaving their knockout hopes hanging by a thread.
Chasing a modest 155 for victory, Babar anchored the innings with a 51-ball knock decorated with ten boundaries. He set the tone early with an explosive 75-run opening partnership alongside Mohammad Haris, which came off just 52 deliveries. Haris provided the early impetus, smashing 35 off 28 balls, including five fours and a towering six, before falling to Saud Shakeel.
After Haris’s departure, Babar shared a steady 49-run stand for the second wicket with Kusal Mendis (21), who hit two boundaries. Following Mendis’s dismissal in the 16th over, Aaron Hardie (18 not out) joined his captain to see the chase through, striking a four to wrap up the match with nine balls to spare.
Babar also became the fourth player of the world to have completed century of fifties in T20 cricket. David Warner of Australia who captains Karachi Kings, Virat Kohli of India and Jos Buttler of England have already achieved this milestone.
Earlier, Quetta Gladiators were bundled out for 154 on the final ball of their 20 overs after Zalmi captain Babar Azam opted to bowl first.
Quetta’s innings never gained momentum after Ahsan Ali fell to Iftikhar Ahmed in the very first over. While Hasan Nawaz top-scored with 37 off 35 balls (four boundaries) and Rilee Rossouw chipped in with a brisk 18-ball 26 (four boundaries), Gladiators’ middle order collapsed under pressure.
Sufiyan Muqeem was the pick of the bowlers for Zalmi, claiming 3-25 in a brilliant spell of leg-spin that accounted for Rossouw, Shamyl Hussain (12), and Khawaja Nafay (20). Mohammad Basit, left-arm pacer, who made his PSL debut, provided excellent support at the death, cleaning up the tail to finish with 3-36. Quetta’s inability to build significant partnerships proved costly, as three run-outs further hampered their progress.
Peshawar Zalmi now look to secure a top-two finish, while Quetta Gladiators face a must-win situation in their remaining fixtures to stay in contention.
Summarised Scores:
Quetta Gladiators: 154 all out in 20 overs (Hasan Nawaz 37, Rilee Rossouw 26, Khawaja Nafay 20; Sufiyan Muqeem 3-25, Mohammad Basit 3-36, Iftikhar Ahmed 1-20)
Peshawar Zalmi: 156-2 in 18.3 overs (Babar Azam 71*, Mohammad Haris 35, Kusal Mendis 21; Saud Shakeel 1-23, Alzarri Joseph 1-32)
Result: Peshawar Zalmi won by 8 wickets.
Sufiyan Muqeem (Man of the match)
