KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi secured a convincing 76-run win over Lahore Qalandars in a one-sided HBL PSL 2026 match here at the National Bank Stadium here on Saturday evening.
Chasing a target of 174, Lahore Qalandars were bowled out for 97 in 17 overs as Zalmi’s bowlers produced a dominant performance. The innings began poorly for Lahore when Shoriful Islam dismissed opener Mohammad Naeem for one off two balls on the third delivery of the second over.
Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique tried to stabilise the innings with a 39-run partnership for the second wicket before Nahid Rana broke the stand by dismissing Abdullah for 21 in the sixth over. Fakhar followed soon after, scoring 21 before being removed by Michael Bracewell. Lahore’s batting then collapsed quickly as Haseebullah (3) and Asif Ali (0) fell to Bracewell and Sufiyan Muqeem, respectively, leaving the side struggling at 56-5 within the first 10 overs. Sikandar Raza added 14 runs before becoming Bracewell’s third wicket.
Sufiyan Muqeem further dented Lahore’s hopes by dismissing Shaheen Shah Afridi for five, reducing them to 67-7 in 11.4 overs.
Nahid Rana later claimed his second wicket by removing Usama Mir for one as the Qalandars’ innings folded rapidly.
For Zalmi, Sufiyan Muqeem and Michael Bracewell claimed three wickets each, while Nahid Rana took two. Aamer Jamal and Shoriful Islam picked up one wicket apiece. Earlier, Peshawar Zalmi posted 173-7 in their 20 overs after opting to bat first. Openers Mohammad Haris and Babar Azam provided a steady start, adding quick runs in the early overs. Haris made 18 off 10 balls, hitting two fours and a six, before Shaheen Afridi dismissed him.
Babar Azam then shared a vital 109-run partnership with Kusal Mendis to strengthen Zalmi’s innings.
Mendis played an impressive knock of 74 off 48 balls, striking five fours and four sixes, while Babar contributed a composed 43 off 40 deliveries before falling to Usama Mir.
In the final overs, Michael Bracewell added useful runs with a brisk 21 off 10 balls. Lahore bowlers managed a few late breakthroughs through Shaheen Afridi, Mustafizur Rahman and Ubaid Shah, but Zalmi still finished with a competitive total.
While Zalmi have moved to the top of the table after victory in this match, two successive heavy losses have severely dented Qalandars’ net run rate. The defending champions are sixth, and are followed by Hyderabad Kingsmen and Rawalpindiz, with both sides yet to win a game.
