PSL 10: Babar Azam, Hussain Talat power Peshawar Zalmi past Lahore Qalandars

Peshawar Zalmi claimed a solid seven-wicket victory over Lahore Qalandars in the 14th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 at the Gaddafi Stadium, thanks to strong performances from their bowlers and half-centuries by Babar Azam and Hussain Talat.

Chasing a target of 130 runs, Zalmi reached the total with ease, finishing the match in 16.4 overs while losing just three wickets.

However, Zalmi had a rocky start to their chase, losing Saim Ayub (2) and Tom Kohler-Cadmore (0) within the first two overs with only 7 runs on the board. Mohammad Haris then joined skipper Babar Azam and added a quick 33-run stand before being dismissed by Shaheen Shah Afridi after scoring 20 off 16 balls, which included two fours and two sixes.

From there, Babar Azam and Hussain Talat took control. The pair stitched together an unbeaten 93-run partnership that guided Zalmi to victory. Babar remained not out on 56 from 42 balls, hitting seven fours and one six, while Talat scored an unbeaten 51 off 37 deliveries, with six boundaries including a six.

Earlier, Zalmi captain Babar Azam won the toss and chose to bowl first — a decision that paid off as their bowling attack dismantled the Qalandars, who were all out for 129 in 19.2 overs.

The trouble began early for Lahore when opener Fakhar Zaman was bowled by Alzarri Joseph for 10. The team continued to collapse, losing five wickets for just 35 runs by the end of the powerplay. Captain Shaheen Afridi tried to rescue the innings with a quick 16, but the Qalandars never recovered.

Sikandar Raza stood out with a fighting knock of 52 off 37 balls, hitting five fours and three sixes. He tried to build the innings with brief partnerships but lacked support from the other end.

Alzarri Joseph led Zalmi’s bowling attack with excellent figures of 3 for 15 in four overs. He was well supported by Luke Wood and Hussain Talat, who picked up two wickets each. Arif Yaqoob and Ali Raza also chipped in with one wicket apiece.

Despite this dominant win, Peshawar Zalmi remain in fourth place on the points table, tied with Lahore Qalandars at four points from five matches. However, Qalandars stay ahead due to a better net run rate.