By our correspondent
LAHORE: Lahore Qalandars brought Peshawar Zalmi’s Pakistan Super League season to an abrupt end, knocking them out of the tournament in a rain-shortened, high-voltage encounter in Rawalpindi. It was match 29 of the 10th edition of the PSL, and it ended with a flourish for Lahore and heartbreak for Peshawar, who for the first time in league history failed to advance beyond the first round.
A thunderstorm delayed the toss, and the match was eventually reduced to 13 overs per side, beginning well past its scheduled start at 9:45pm. Once underway, it delivered a flurry of drama befitting the stakes. Lahore, asked to bat first, posted a formidable 149 for 8, led by a commanding 60-run innings from Fakhar Zaman. He was dropped early by Peshawar’s fielders—a lapse that proved costly as Fakhar punished their generosity with a flurry of boundaries.
Mohammad Naeem gave the Qalandars a strong start with a brisk 22, while Kushal Perera and Asif Ali kept the middle overs ticking. Asif’s quickfire 18 injected much-needed pace, but Lahore’s innings faltered in the final overs with a flurry of wickets. Despite the late collapse, they still posted a challenging total. For Zalmi, Ahmad Daniyal, Ali Raza, and Daniel Sams claimed two wickets apiece, though their fielding woes overshadowed the bowling effort.
Chasing 150, Peshawar’s batting unit came apart under pressure. Their chase never found momentum, and they were eventually restricted to just 123 runs. Lahore’s bowlers kept their lines tight, and Peshawar’s middle order simply couldn’t respond. The match, delayed by wind and rain, was dictated by discipline and urgency—two traits Peshawar failed to show.
This result didn’t just end a game—it marked a shift. Peshawar Zalmi, a team with a proud PSL legacy, now find themselves out of contention at the earliest stage. Meanwhile, Lahore Qalandars, often underdogs in past seasons, have shown resilience under pressure. In a league often defined by big hits and louder hype, this match was a reminder that composure, sharp fielding, and seizing critical moments can still make or break a campaign. For Zalmi, the exit is bitter. For Qalandars, the dream continues.
