Friday night’s Pakistan Super League (PSL 2024) encounter between Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi witnessed a historic feat overshadowed by a resounding victory. While Akeal Hosein, the Gladiators’ spin wizard, etched his name in history with the first hat-trick of the tournament, it was Zalmi who emerged triumphant, solidifying their position in the top half of the points table.
Zalmi, electing to bat first, posted a formidable total of 196 runs on the board, losing eight wickets in the process. Skipper Babar Azam led the charge with a well-paced 53 off just 30 deliveries. Tom Kohler-Cadmore (33 off 19) and Saim Ayub (30 off 12) provided valuable support at the top of the order, setting a strong foundation for the later batsmen.
Gladiators’ bowling attack started promisingly. Akeal Hosein, the left-arm spinner, ripped through the top order, ended up claiming a hat-trick with the dismissals of Aamer Jamal, Mehran Mumtaz, and Luke Wood in quick succession. He eventually finished with a stellar spell of 4/23, showcasing exceptional control and variation. However, his efforts were countered by a solid batting performance from Peshawar’s middle and top order.
Chasing a mammoth target of 197, Rilee Rossouw’s batting line-up crumbled under pressure. Saud Shakeel’s valiant knock of 24 off 12 balls remained the highest score for the Purple Force. Zalmi’s bowling attack, led by Aamir Jamal (1/15) and supported by impressive performances from Mehran Mumtaz (2/22) and Khurram Shehzad (2/15), restricted Quetta to a paltry 120 runs, securing a comprehensive victory by a margin of 76 runs.
Despite Akeal Hosein’s historic hat-trick, the night belonged to Azam and co. Their clinical batting performance and disciplined bowling attack proved too much for the Gladiators to handle. The win propelled Zalmi to second place in the points table with 11 points, while Quetta remains in fourth place with nine points.
The remaining matches of the PSL 2024 promise to be equally thrilling, with teams vying for a coveted playoff spot. While Quetta will aim to bounce back and improve their chances, the yellow storm will look to maintain their winning momentum and solidify their position in the top half of the table.
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