Five-star Hafeez propels Qalandars to victory in PSL eliminator against Zalmi

Lahore Qalandars’ all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez played a spectacular unbeaten knock of 74 runs to propel his side to victory against Peshawar Zalmi in the first eliminator of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season five at the National Stadium in Karachi on Saturday.

The win knocked out Peshawar Zalmi from the tournament and set the stage for the second eliminator, which will be played between Multan Sultans and Lahore Qalandars on Sunday.

Chasing a tricky target of 171 runs, Lahore Qalandars got off to a shaky start after Peshawar Zalmi’s pacer Saqib Mahmood removed both openers Fakhar Zaman (6) and Tamim Iqbal (18) in the third over of the chase. Zaman edged behind to wicketkeeper Imamul Haq whereas Tamim miscued pull shot which was safely grasped by the part-time gloveman.

Qalandars’ skipper Sohail Akhtar (7) did not have much luck either and was removed by Mahmood, caught by skipper Wahab Riaz.

Veteran all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez made good use of his stellar recent run and started to lay a foundation for the chase. The 40-year-old tried and failed to forge meaningful partnerships with batsmen Ben Dunk (20) and Samit Patel (20) who were removed by bowlers Mohammad Imran and Rahat Ali respectively before making significant scores.

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With a rising run-rate and mounting pressure, Hafeez took matters into his own hands and started to up the ante. The veteran took calculated risks and played a magnificent unbeaten knock of 74 runs off 46 deliveries to bring the Qalandars to within touching distance of an incredible victory.

With the finishing line in sight, all-rounder David Wiese hit two magnificent sixes to propel his side to victory, with an over to spare, for the loss of five wickets.

Saqib Mahmood was the pick of the bowlers for Peshawar Zalmi after claiming three wickets in four overs at the expense of 41 runs

Earlier, Lahore Qalandars’ captain Sohail Akhtar won the toss and elected to bat first. The move paid immediate dividends after fast-bowler Shaheen Shah dismissed rising star Haider Ali for a golden duck on the second ball of the match.

Top-order batsman Sohaib Maqsood (16) joined opener Imamul Haq and tried to provide a solid foundation for his side but fast-bowler Dilbar Hussain had other ideas as he forced a miscue from Maqsood that landed in the hands of fielder Fakhar Zaman. There was some confusion in the middle, as the ball seemed to have been deflected from the overhead camera wires but replays could not show conclusive evidence of the same which made PSL debutant Faf Du Plessis stride to the middle.

Imam was the next to depart after a promising start, scoring 24 runs off 19 deliveries, as he was caught and bowled by bowler David Wiese.

Faf tried to bring some impetus to the innings after making 31 runs off 25 deliveries before being removed by Dilbar.

Batsman Mohammad Imran (8) could not trouble the scorers and fell to Wiese while Malik played a breezy knock of 39 runs off 24 deliveries.

Dilbar soon removed Malik and Shaheen followed it up by removing all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite (10). Zalmi’s problems were further intensified after Rauf removed skipper Wahab Riaz for a duck.

All-rounder Hardus Viljoen, however, made his presence felt with a great display of power-hitting with a score of 37 runs off just 16 deliveries, before being caught on the final ball of the innings off the bowling of Rauf, to help his side to 170 runs for the loss of nine wickets at the end of their allotted overs.

Dilbar was the standout bowler for the Qalandars after picking up three wickets in four overs at the expense of 33 runs.

Hafeez was adjudged player of the match for his incredible match-winning knock.