Zalmi Domination: Peshawar Thump Qalandars by 76 Runs to Top the Table

 

Peshawar Zalmi continued their sensational form in PSL 11, securing a commanding 76-run victory over Lahore Qalandars at the National Stadium in Karachi. After being put in to bat, Zalmi posted a solid total of 173/7 in their 20 overs. The innings was anchored by a brilliant performance from Kusal Mendis, who smashed 74 off 48 balls, and supported by skipper Babar Azam, who contributed a steady 43. Despite a late fightback from Lahore’s bowlers—led by Shaheen Afridi and Mustafizur Rahman—the target proved to be far beyond Lahore's reach on a night where Zalmi's execution was near-flawless.

The Qalandars’ chase never found its rhythm, crumbling under the clinical pressure applied by the Peshawar bowling attack. Michael Bracewell and Sufiyan Muqeem were the chief destroyers, picking up three wickets apiece to dismantle Lahore’s middle order. The Qalandars were eventually bundled out for a mere 97 runs in 17 overs, marking one of their most disappointing batting displays of the season. Aside from brief resistance from Fakhar Zaman, the Lahore lineup struggled to adapt to the disciplined lines and variations of the Zalmi bowlers.

With this emphatic win, Peshawar Zalmi has now extended its unbeaten streak to five matches, catapulting them to the summit of the PSL 11 points table with 9 points and a massive net run-rate boost. For Lahore Qalandars, the defeat serves as a wake-up call as they struggle to find consistency in their title defense. As the tournament shifts gears, Babar Azam’s men look like the team to beat, combining explosive batting at the top with a balanced, high-intensity bowling unit that seems to have an answer for every opponent.