PSL 10: Faheem's fifer powers Quetta Gladiators to dominant win over Peshawar Zalmi

Quetta Gladiators delivered a dominant all-round performance to defeat Peshawar Zalmi by 64 runs in the 17th match of HBL PSL 10 at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday. The win lifts the Gladiators to third place in the points table with six points.

Batting first, Quetta posted a competitive total of 178 for 7, thanks to solid contributions from their top and middle-order batters. In reply, Zalmi struggled and were bowled out for just 114 in 15.2 overs.

The star of the match was Faheem Ashraf, who produced a match-winning spell, picking up 5 wickets for 33 runs in just 3.2 overs. His fiery bowling tore through Zalmi’s middle and lower order, sealing a thumping win for the Gladiators.

Zalmi’s only notable resistance came from Hussain Talat, who scored 39 runs off 34 balls with four boundaries and two sixes. Other double-digit scorers included Babar Azam (12), Mohammad Haris (17), and Mitchell Owen (15), but none could build a lasting partnership.

Apart from Faheem, Khurram Shahzad took two wickets, while Mohammad Amir, Abrar Ahmed, and Mohammad Wasim chipped in with one wicket each.

Earlier, Quetta started their innings well with openers Finn Allen and Saud Shakeel putting together 46 runs in quick time. Allen was the aggressor, smashing 31 off just 16 balls with four fours and two sixes before falling to Alzarri Joseph in the fifth over.

Saud Shakeel then partnered with Rilee Rossouw for a 45-run stand before Saim Ayub struck twice in quick succession to remove both set batters. Shakeel scored 32 off 26 balls with five boundaries, while Rossouw made 27 off 18.

Later, Kusal Mendis (32 off 27) and Mark Chapman (33 off 26) added 39 valuable runs for the fourth wicket, helping the Gladiators reach a strong total. Chapman top-scored for the side and was dismissed in the final over.

For Zalmi, Alzarri Joseph was the most effective bowler, claiming 3 for 33. Saim Ayub picked up 2 wickets, while Luke Wood grabbed one.

The result gives Quetta a crucial boost in the standings as the league stage heads into its final phase.