Quetta Gladiators defeat Peshawar Zalmi by 64 runs in a one-sided contest
In a match that showcased Faheem Ashraf’s exceptional bowling skills, Quetta Gladiators cruised to a commanding 64-run victory over Peshawar Zalmi in the PSL 2025, with the all-rounder claiming a remarkable five-wicket haul. Zalmi's chase of a challenging target of 179 was dismantled by Ashraf's early strikes, which set the tone for a dominant performance from the Gladiators.
Gladiators Set a Challenging Target
Sent in to bat first, Quetta Gladiators made a strong start. Finn Allen provided the initial spark with a quickfire 31 off just 16 balls, including some sizzling boundaries. However, Zalmi's bowlers tightened things up in the middle overs, with a disciplined spell of spin bowling from Sufiyan Muqeem and Saim Ayub, who conceded just 57 runs off eight overs.
Rilee Rossouw’s 25 and Saud Shakeel’s 32 ensured the Gladiators remained competitive, but it was Mark Chapman’s late assault on Ali Raza’s final over that helped the Gladiators reach a total of 178/7. Chapman’s three boundaries in the final over injected some much-needed momentum into the innings, although Zalmi managed to pull things back towards the end.
Faheem Ashraf’s Early Strikes
Chasing 179, Peshawar Zalmi was immediately put under pressure by Faheem Ashraf. After a brief flicker of hope with Babar Azam and Saim Ayub hitting some early boundaries, Faheem broke the back of Zalmi's top order. His aggressive bowling, extracting extra bounce from the surface, had Ayub nicking off early, followed by Babar Azam, who fell to a plumb lbw decision.
The Gladiators' bowlers continued to strike at regular intervals, with Mohammad Wasim finding movement and removing Tom Kohler-Cadmore with a beautiful inswinger. At 32/3, Zalmi’s chase was in complete disarray. The middle-order struggled to find the balance between caution and aggression, with Mohammad Haris departing for a modest score and Abdul Samad falling cheaply to Faheem.
Gladiators Control the Game
With Zalmi’s top and middle order failing to fire, Gladiators’ bowlers tightened their grip on the match. Khurram Shahzad restricted the boundaries, and Mitchell Owen was dismissed while trying to break free. The tail-enders couldn’t offer much resistance, as Faheem continued to weave his magic, taking wickets at crucial moments.
Despite a brave knock from Hussain Talat (39 off 34 balls), the writing was on the wall for Zalmi. Faheem polished off the tail, claiming his five-wicket haul in the process. His final scalp came when Sufiyan Muqeem lobbed a simple catch to mid-on, handing Gladiators a comprehensive win with more than 60 runs to spare.
A Complete Team Effort
While Faheem Ashraf’s sensational bowling was the highlight, it was a well-rounded team performance that led the Gladiators to victory. The top-order gave them a solid foundation, and even when the going got tough, they managed to accelerate when needed. The bowlers, led by Faheem, were ruthless and clinical in dismantling Zalmi’s chase, never giving the opposition a real chance to get back into the game.
Quetta Gladiators continue to show their form and resilience in PSL 2025, and with performances like this, they remain one of the strongest teams in the competition.
0 Comments