Muqeem, Babar extend Zalmi's winning run

Peshawar Zalmi continued their winning streak in the PSL, coasting to an eight-wicket victory against Quetta Gladiators on Wednesday.

Led by Sufiyan Muqeem, the tournament's top wicket-taker, Zalmi bowled out Gladiators for 154. Iftikhar Ahmed struck early, dismissing Ahsan Ali off the third ball. Rilee Rossouw and Saud Shakeel built a brief partnership before a run-out ended Shakeel's innings.

Muqeem struck in his first over, removing Rossouw, and applied further pressure alongside Ali Raza. Mohammad Basit dismissed top-scorer Hasan Nawaz for 37. Gladiators managed only two sixes, with regular wickets preventing any momentum. Basit took two wickets in the penultimate over as they just passed 150.

Captain Shakeel later said it was a "175-180" pitch, regretting the lack of clarity in the middle overs: "We lose so many wickets that we ourselves are not able to decide how to play in that phase."

In response, Zalmi started steadily. Babar Azam played his usual drives and flicks, while Mohammad Haris looked for aerial shots. They reached 59/0 after the Powerplay. Haris fell to a juggling catch by Shamyl at the boundary.

Usman Tariq and Shakeel bowled economically, but the required rate remained under control. Babar continued untroubled, reaching his fifty in 37 balls. He finished with 71 not out, hitting 10 fours and sealing the win with nine balls to spare. This marked Babar's 100th T20 fifty. Muqeem was named Player of the Match for the second consecutive game.

Babar and Kusal Mendis lead the tournament run-scoring charts, with Babar surpassing 300 runs in a PSL season for the third time for Zalmi. Zalmi now have six wins in seven matches and are well-placed for the playoffs. Gladiators are fifth with two wins and four losses.

Brief scores: Quetta Gladiators 154 all out in 20 overs (Hasan Nawaz 37; Sufiyan Muqeem 3-25, Mohammad Basit 3-36) lost to Peshawar Zalmi 156/2 in 18.3 overs (Babar Azam 71*, Mohammad Haris 35).