Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Salman Mirza starred with bat and ball, respectively, as their standout performances guided Lahore Qalandars to a 26-run win over Peshawar Zalmi in a rain-shortened 13-over clash at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday night.
Qalandars posted a formidable total of 149-8 in their allotted 78 balls, thanks to Fakhar’s explosive innings. His 60 off 36 balls, laced with seven fours and three sixes, propelled him past Mohammad Rizwan to become the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 369 runs, bringing up his 23rd HBL PSL half-century in the process. In response, Zalmi could only manage 123-8, losing seven wickets for just 63 runs in the middle phase of their innings.
Salman Mirza, playing his first HBL PSL match since 2021, made an instant impact with figures of 4-31. The left-arm pacer dismissed Saim Ayub in the second over and dealt a double blow in the fourth by bowling out Mohammad Haris and Max Bryant on consecutive deliveries, derailing Zalmi’s chase early on.
After rain reduced the high-stakes encounter to 13 overs per side, Peshawar Zalmi opted to bowl first. Fakhar and Mohammad Naeem (22 off 10 balls, 3 fours, 1 six) got Qalandars off to a blazing start with a rapid 54-run stand in just 3.4 overs.
Apart from Fakhar’s fireworks, Qalandars also benefited from handy cameos by Kusal Perera (17 off 8), Asif Ali (18 off 6), and Shaheen Shah Afridi (8* off 6). Despite Zalmi’s bowlers conceding only 22 runs and claiming three wickets in the last three overs, Qalandars had already raced to a commanding total at a run rate of 11.46. Ahmed Daniyal, Ali Raza, and Daniel Sams took two wickets apiece for Zalmi.
In reply, Zalmi stumbled early. After scoring 20 off the first 11 balls, Saim Ayub was dismissed hit-wicket, followed by Haris and Bryant falling to Salman. Skipper Babar Azam’s 13-ball 16 ended in the sixth over, courtesy of Sikandar Raza, with Zalmi at 42-4.
Maaz Sadaqat (4) was sent back by Haris Rauf, while Shaheen Shah Afridi removed Abdul Samad—who had briefly counterattacked with 17 off 10—and Luke Wood, who departed without scoring.
With Zalmi tottering at 63-7, Daniel Sams (26* off 14) and Ahmed Daniyal (24 off 14) mounted a late resistance, stitching together a 32-run partnership off 14 balls. However, Salman Mirza returned to wrap up his spell and seal the win, earning the Player of the Match award as Zalmi ultimately fell 23 runs short.
