Lahore Qalandars restrict Peshawar Zalmi to 140-runs

A disciplined bowling effort from Lahore Qalandars blew away the top-order of the Peshawar Zalmi side before A vital fifty from all-rounder Ravi Bopara helped his team reach 140 runs at the end of their allotted overs.

Peshawar Zalmi were asked to bat first after Lahore Qalandars’ captain Sohail Akhtar won the toss. The decision by Akhtar paid instant dividends as pacer Shaheen Shah removed opener Imamul Haq for a golden duck. The pacer swung it away from the batsman who managed to edge the ball to wicketkeeper Ben Dunk for a straightforward dismissal on the first ball of the match.

Zalmi’s were further dented by a double-strike from pacer Salman Mirza, who replaced the injured pacer Dilbar Hussain in the side. The pacer first removed veteran opener Karman Akmal (five off 10) as the batsman flicked a delivery straight into the hands of fielder Agha Salman.

Batsman Haider Ali was Salman’s next victim, edging an out-swinging delivery to wicketkeeper Ben Dunk for a golden duck.

Veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik appeared to be in sublime form, soaking up the pressure as wickets fell on the other end in the initial stages of the innings.

All-rounder David Wiese however got the better of Malik, forcing an edge that was comfortably taken by wicketkeeper Dunk, after the batsman had managed to score 26 runs off 24 deliveries to reduce Lahore Qalandars to a scoreline of 46 runs for the loss of four wickets.

All-rounder Ravi Bopara and Sherfane Rutherford then initiated the task of rebuilding the innings with the added challenge of building a foundation for the side for a strong finish. The duo combined for a 64-run partnership off 57 deliveries that stabilised the Qalandars’ innings.

Shaheen Shah however returned into the attack to remove Rutherford, caught by fielder Agha Salman, after the batsman had scored 26 runs off 27 deliveries.

Bopara brought up his fifty but was soon removed by Shaheen Shah, caught by fielder Rashid Khan, after the batsman had managed 50 runs off 44 deliveries.

A late unbeaten cameo from all-rounder Amad Butt (23 runs off 11 deliveries) propelled the Peshawar Zalmi side to 140 runs at the end of their allotted overs at the expense of six wickets.

Shaheen Shah was the pick of the bowlers for Lahore Qalandars, picking up three wickets off four overs at the expense of just 14 runs. Salman Mirza picked up two wickets while David Wiese picked up one wicket during their respective overs.