The Pakistan Super League (PSL) match between Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi is going on and Quetta Gladiators were off to a magnificent start with opener Jason Roy and Saud Shakeel adding 157 runs for the opening partnership. Babar Azam-led Peshawar Zalmi conceded 206 runs in their first game as Jason Roy and Saud Shakeel took the bowlers by storm. The first wicket was taken by Luke Wood of Saud Shakeel who departed after scoring 74 off 47 deliveries.
Babar Azam took an excellent running catch to dismiss Saud Shakeel who smashed six fours and four sixes in his innings of 74 against Peshawar Zalmi. Quetta Gladiators ended their innings with a total of 206/5 and now Peshawar Zalmi needs 207 runs to win their first game of this season in the PSL. Babar Azam and Saim Ayub will be opening the batting for Peshawar Zalmi and it will be a tough challenge to chase 207 in Lahore.
Luke Wood bowled a short delivery that was struck by Saud Shakeel with a flat bat towards mid-on and Babar Azam came running towards it from mid-off and completed a brilliant running catch. Babar Azam covered a lot of distance to complete the catch and showed his agility on the field. Now the challenge is to chase 207 against Quetta Gladiators and it will be a difficult challenge for Peshawar Zalmi. The Quetta Gladiators have a strong bowling attack with the likes of Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Abrar Ahmed, and Akeal Hossein.
Peshawar Zalmi also has a strong batting attack with the likes of Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Rovman Powell, Asif Ali, and Mohammad Haris. The catch taken by Babar Azam has shown his intent and if he bats with the same intent then it is possible that Peshawar Zalmi can win the game against Quetta Gladiators. Babar Azam was recently removed from his opening position in Pakistan and he needs to perform in the PSL to reclaim that slot.
Watch- Babar Azam takes an incredible running catch in the PSL to dismiss Saud Shakeel
A terrific catch from Zalmi captain Babar Azam to end a mammoth opening stand! ☝️#HBLPSL9 | #KhulKeKhel | #QGvPZ pic.twitter.com/YwbZaumaTA
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 18, 2024
The Pakistan Super League 2024 commenced on February 17, Saturday with Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United kicking off things. Islamabad United defeated Lahore Qalandars in the match by eight wickets while chasing 196. Babar Azam will be hoping to start his PSL 2024 campaign with a win and they have to chase a mammoth 207 to get their first win of this season. Peshawar Zalmi reached the second qualifier in the last season but was defeated by Lahore Qalandars who went on to win the league last season.
Babar Azam won the PSL in 2020 with Karachi Kings and was also the Player of the Tournament that season. Peshawar Zalmi will hope for a similar kind of performance from their skipper who is also the top run-scorer of the Pakistan Super League. He will be expecting to win the PSL again with Peshawar Zalmi this time as they have won the league only once which was back in 2017.
