Akeal Hosein's Hat-Trick in Vain, Zalmi Qualifies for Playoffs

Muhammad Waqas

Peshawar Zalmi: 196/8 (20) | Babar 53(30), Cadmore 33(19) | Akeal 4/23, Abrar 1/34

Quetta Gladiators: 120 (17.5) | Suad 24(12), Roy 16(16) | Khurram 2/15, Saim 2/20

Peshawar Zalmi defeated Quetta Gladiators by a big margin, securing their spot in the playoffs of the ongoing HBL Pakistan Super League season.

Zalmi also etched their name in the record books as the only team to have qualified for the playoffs of all nine editions of the tournament.

After being put into bat first, Peshawar got off to a flying start, courtesy of blistering opening stand between Babar Azam and Saim Ayub. The duo combined 46 runs off just 22 balls, before Saim’s cameo of 30 runs in 12 balls came to an end. Babar Azam continued his fine form, notching up his 86^th half-century in T20s, fourth of the ongoing tournament. He scored 53 runs in just 30 deliveries. Tom Kohler-Cadmore contributed with 33 off 19 balls.

However, Akeal Hosein’s Hat-trick stunned Peshawar Zalmi in the 16^th over, becoming only the second oversea player to do so in the history of the league. But it was late contributions from Rovman Powell (28* off 25) and Naveen ul haq (10* off 9) that propelled Zalmi to a challenging total of 196/8. For Quetta, Akeal Hosein led the bowling attack with figures 4/23, while Sohail khan, Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Husnain dismissed one batter each.

In response, Quetta Gladiators were provided with a good start of 46 runs in 4.3 overs by Saud Shakeel and Jason Roy. However, once the breakthrough was made by Mehran Mumtaz, Quetta’s innings rapidly spiraled downwards. Saim Ayub’s double-wicket over further dented Gladiators’ hopes as they found themselves reeling at 67 for 4. None of the Gladiators’ batters could counter Zalmi’s bowlers and were bowled out at just 120, facing back-to-back defeats in the tournament.

Peshawar Zalmi sealed a comprehensive 76-run victory, finding themselves comfortably in the second position on the points table. Mehran Mumtaz, Khurram Shahzad, Saim Ayub and Luke Wood all picked up two wickets each.

Saim Ayub was given player of the match award for his all-round performance in the match.