Zalmi lock horns with Gladiators in PSL clash today

LAHORE: Quetta Gladiators is set to face Peshawar Zalmi on Sunday (today) in the 17th pivotal encounter of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 with both teams desperate to climb up from the bottom half of the points table here at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore in the evening.

Quetta Gladiators will draw confidence from their comprehensive 80-run victory over Peshawar Zalmi in their season opener.

That dominant performance, which showcased Quetta’s all-round capabilities, gives them a psychological edge heading into today’s clash.

“We know what we’re capable of when we play to our potential,” said a Viv Richards, the team’s mentor.

“That first match against Zalmi was a blueprint of how we want to approach our cricket, and we’re looking to replicate that performance.”

Quetta Gladiators have had a roller-coaster tournament thus far. After their emphatic start against Peshawar, they’ve failed to maintain consistency, particularly in their batting department.

Their recent narrow victory against Karachi Kings, however, where they defended a modest total of 142, has instilled fresh belief in the squad.

Captain Saud Shakeel’s form will be crucial at the top of the order, while Sri Lankan star Kusal Mendis and South African veteran Rilee Rossouw provide international experience. The bowling attack, spearheaded by the evergreen Mohammad Amir and complemented by the mystery spin of Abrar Ahmed, remains their strongest suit.

Peshawar Zalmi, meanwhile, have endured a difficult campaign, losing three of their four matches thus far.

Their sole victory – a commanding 120-run win over Multan Sultans – demonstrated their potential, but they’ve struggled to build momentum.

The yellow storm’s fortunes largely depend on their talismanic batsman Babar Azam, who has been consistent without being explosive.

The aggressive Mohammad Haris adds firepower in the middle order, while overseas pacers Luke Wood and Alzarri Joseph lead a bowling attack that has shown flashes of brilliance but lacks consistency in the death overs.

For Quetta, Abrar Ahmed has emerged as their trump card, consistently taking wickets in the middle overs and stifling opposition batsmen. Faheem Ashraf’s recent batting heroics against Karachi Kings also make him a player to watch.

Peshawar will look to Babar Azam to anchor their innings, but they’ll need explosive contributions from Mohammad Haris and Hussain Talat if they are to post or chase a competitive total against Quetta’s disciplined bowling unit.

The Gaddafi Stadium pitch has traditionally favored batsmen, with minimal assistance for bowlers.

Statistics reveal that teams batting first have won 60% of recent T20 matches here, with an average first-innings score of 175.

Weather conditions are expected to be ideal for cricket, with temperatures around the mid-twenties (Celsius) and minimal chance of rain.

The contest presents an intriguing tactical battle between Quetta’s superior bowling attack and Peshawar’s top-heavy batting lineup.

How Peshawar’s batsmen, particularly Babar Azam, negotiate the threat of Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Amir could prove decisive.

Conversely, if Quetta’s inconsistent batting lineup falters against the pace duo of Wood and Joseph, Peshawar could well turn the tables on their opponents.

Given their recent form, head-to-head advantage, and more balanced squad, Quetta Gladiators enter the contest as slight favorites.

Their bowling attack provides them an edge on what is expected to be a high-scoring pitch at Gaddafi Stadium.

The toss could play a crucial role, with the team winning it likely to opt for batting first to capitalize on the favorable conditions and put pressure on the chasing side. Cricket enthusiasts can expect a high-scoring encounter with plenty of boundaries and tactical nuances as both teams aim to secure crucial points in their quest for a playoff berth in PSL 2025.