Qalandars Seal Playoff Berth as Zalmi Falter in Do-or-Die Clash
Fakhar Zaman blazes with the bat, Salman Mirza dazzles with the ball in shortened thriller
By CricketVista | May 19, 2025
In a rain-hit, high-stakes encounter in Rawalpindi, Lahore Qalandars held their nerve to clinch a 26-run win over Peshawar Zalmi, securing a spot in the PSL 2025 playoffs. The match, reduced to 13 overs per side, saw Fakhar Zaman light up the powerplay with a blistering half-century before Salman Mirza’s four-wicket burst dismantled Zalmi’s hopes of survival in the tournament.
Fakhar Flies in the Powerplay
Lahore’s charge was headlined by a vintage Fakhar Zaman performance. With the rain easing and conditions ripe for batting, Fakhar wasted no time—launching into the Zalmi bowling attack from the outset. A pull shot for six off a misdirected short ball kickstarted his assault, followed by a towering strike over long-on off Luke Wood that showcased his aggressive intent.
By the end of the powerplay, Fakhar had stormed to 45 off just 21 balls, helping Qalandars reach a dominant 80 for 1. He eventually fell for a fiery 60 off 36 balls, with five fours and three sixes peppering his knock.
Contributions Across the Top Order
While Fakhar played the anchor, Qalandars’ other batters chipped in with impactful cameos. Mohammad Naeem set the tone with 22 off just 10 balls, including a six and three boundaries. Kusal Perera and Asif Ali kept the pressure on, with the latter smashing back-to-back sixes upon arrival at the crease.
Despite losing wickets at regular intervals in the latter overs, Lahore still managed a competitive 149 for 8, courtesy of a fearless batting approach.
Mirza’s Magic with the New Ball
In response, Zalmi faced a steep required run rate from the get-go—needing to chase at nearly 11.5 an over. However, Salman Mirza crushed any hopes of a comeback within the first few overs.
He drew first blood with a touch of luck, as Saim Ayub accidentally stepped on his stumps. Then came a double-strike that deflated Zalmi’s chase—Mohammad Haris cleaned up, followed immediately by Max Bryant, beaten by a delivery that swung in late after initially angling away.
With Shaheen Afridi keeping things tight at the other end (2 for 19), Zalmi found themselves struggling at every turn. Despite a few late blows from Daniel Sams (26*), the total proved too far out of reach. Zalmi eventually limped to 123 for 8, ending their campaign in fifth place on the points table.
What’s Next?
With this win, Lahore Qalandars locked in their spot in the Eliminator, scheduled for Thursday. Peshawar Zalmi, meanwhile, bow out of PSL 2025, left to rue a night of dropped catches and missed opportunities.
Top Performers:
Fakhar Zaman – 60 (36)
Salman Mirza – 4 for 31
Shaheen Afridi – 2 for 19
Daniel Sams – 2 for 28 & 26*
Also Read: Dusttorm in Rawalpindi Delays Peshawar vs. Lahore Match: Latest Weather Forecast and Safety
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