Peshawar Zalmi win historic PSL final at Lahore

LAHORE: The second edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has seen an historic final, played for the first time at Lahore after all its matches were held in United Arab Emirates with great success.

In the end, Peshawar Zalmi emerged victorious to lift the title for the first time  whereas Quetta Gladiators despite qualifying for the final for the second successive time failed again to win the coveted trophy in the PSL.

Chasing a moderate total of 149, Quetta Gladiators made a disastrous start, losing three early wickets for just 13 runs and were all out for 90 in 16.3 overs.

Peshawar Zalmi bowlers dominated the scene to help their team defeat Quetta Gladiators by a convincing margin of 58 runs with 3.3 overs remaining.

This is Peshawar Zalmi’s first PSL title as the first edition was lifted by Islamabad United in 2016.

Powered by a quick fire 40 by Kamran Akmal, Peshawar Zalmi scored 148 for six in allotted 20 overs.

Englishman David Malan along with Kamran Akmal set flow of runs by adding 42 runs for the opening stand.

Malan made 17 runs off 12 balls with a six and a four.

Kamran, the highest run-scorer of the tournament, continued his form with the bat and put on 40 runs for the second wicket along with West Indian Marlon Samuels,  He smashed six boundaries and one six during his 32- ball innings, before being out lbw by Hassan Khan.

Then, Peshawar Zaalmi lost two quick wickets and were reduced to 84 for four when Samuels (19) was bowled by Nawaz after slamming two sixes and one four in 17 balls.

Later, Muhmmad Hafeez also departed after making 12 as he was caught by Nawaz off Emirt who bowled Iftikhar Ahmad (14) to get the rare chance of being at a hat trick which was denied by West Indies Daren Sammy.

Darren (28) and England's Chris Jordan (8) produced 36 for the sixth wicket unbroken stand to help their side to reach a good total.

Emrit was the pick of the Quetta Gladiators bowlers, taking three wickets for 31 runs and Hassan Khan captured two for 34 while Muhammad Nawaz took one for 15.

Things turned worst for Quetta Gladiators when their key batsman Ahmad Shahzad (1) fell cheaply caught by Khushdil off pacer Hassan. Then the task was left at the shoulders of skipper Sarfraz.

But the sky fell on Quetta when reliable Sarfraz (22) was brilliantly stumped by Kamran off the bowling of Hafeez, leaving the opponents at 4 for just 31 runs.
Sarfraz hit five fours off 22 balls.

Quetta ran out of luck and their wickets continued to fall as Peshawar found themselves well on the path of victory.

Quetta lost their fifth wicket of Saad Nasim (4) at 37 caught by Iftikhar off Wahab Riaz.

Ervine and Anwar Ali contributed 35 runs for the sixth wicket.

Ervine (24 with two fours) was bowled by Asghar at a total of 6 for 72 and at the same total Quetta lost their seventh wicket of Nawaz (0).

Anwar fell after making 20 with defeat widely staring at Quetta.

Left-arm spinner Muhammad Asghar was the highest wicket taker for Peshawar Zalmi with three for 16, followed by pacer Hassan Ali (two for 13), Wahab Riaz (two for 13) while Muhammad Hafeez and Chris Jordan claimed one wicket each.