Quetta post highest total of HBL PSL 6 against Peshawar

Sarfaraz Ahmed and Azam Khan’s 105-run partnership helped Quetta Gladiators reach 198-7 against Peshawar Zalmi, after being asked to bat first on Friday at National Stadium, Karachi.

Saim Ayub attacked Mujeebur Rehman from the get go as the emerging batsman hit the Afghanistan spinner for back to back boundaries in his first over.

After a flying start from Saim, Peshawar struck back as Mohammad Imran removed Delport early for two.

Saim was then joined by Chris Gayle’s replacement, Faf du Plessis, who kept the scoreboard ticking with quick singles and boundaries in the powerplay.

With the partnership brewing, Peshawar got a lucky break as a direct hit from Rutherford ended Saim’s stay at the crease.

Meanwhile, skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed made his intentions clear as he raced to 24 from his first 10 deliveries, taking Quetta to 87-2 at the end of 10 overs.

Faf du Plessis tried to up the ante but was outfoxed by a cutter from Wahab Riaz and was caught by Mujeeb for 37.

Sarfaraz was joined by hard-hitting batsman Azam Khan and the Karachi-born duo provided much-needed acceleration to Quetta innings as they brought up the fifty-run partnership in only 30 balls.

Sarfaraz completed his first fifty in PSL this season in only 31 balls, as he hit a hat-rick of boundaries against Mohammad Imran in the 18th over.

After Imran, Sarfaraz took a liking to Wahab as he dispatched the Zalmi captain to all corners in the 19th over before getting caught at long on for 81.

Saqib Mehmood removed Azam Khan (47), Ben Cutting and Mohammad Nawaz in his last over, but couldn’t stop Quetta from registering the highest total, 198/7, this season.