Qalandars in playoffs, Zalmi out for first time

RAWALPINDI: Lahore Qalandars qualified for Pakistan Super League (PSL) X play-offs as Peshawar Zalmi’s planning, fielding, and batting reached a new low at the Rawalpindi Stadium Sunday evening.

Inviting Qalandars to bat first, dropping no less than five catches, and then faltering in batting all were on show in one match. Set to score 150 to win in a rain-shortened 13 overs a side match, Peshawar Zalmi were restricted at 123 for 8, leaving Qalandars victorious by 26 runs. The loss means that together with Multan Sultans, Zalmi are out of the competition at the first hurdle. Zalmi will not be seen in the playoffs for the very first time in PSL history.

Quetta Gladiators, Karachi Kings, Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars are now through to the play-offs starting from Wednesday at the Gaddafi Stadium. Before that, United and Kings will play the last pool match on Monday at the Rawalpindi Stadium to decide which team finishes second behind Gladiators on the points table. Left-arm pacer Salman Mirza (4-31), who was playing his first PSL match, played havoc with the ball to restrict Zalmi’s top order. Danial Sams (26 not out), Ahmad Danyal (24) played well. No proper Zalmi batsman rose to the challenge.

Earlier, Fakhar Zaman (60), riding on his luck, smashed three sixes and seven fours during his 36-ball knock to help Lahore Qalandars put on 149 for 8 of 13 overs. Fakhar was dropped by Saim Ayub, Mohammad Ali and Luke Wood. Qalandars openers belted Peshawar Zalmi attack to get 54 in just 3.4 overs to lay a solid foundation with Mohammad Naeem (22) finally falling to Danial Sams as Abdul Samad accepted a skier.

Peshawar Zalmi fought back well to allow just 22 to Qalandars of the last three overs to keep them under 150. At one stage, Qalandars were threatening to cross 170 but regular fall of wickets late in the innings pegged them back.

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu, also graced the occasion. In a brief ceremony in between the innings, rich tributes were paid to the Pakistan Air Force on an exceptional show of power in the air.