Qalandars revive PSL hopes with shock win against Zalmi

Published February 13, 2016
Lahore Qalandars will desperately hoping to get some points on the table. — PCB
Lahore Qalandars will desperately hoping to get some points on the table. — PCB

All-rounders Kevon Cooper and Cameron Delport took three wickets each to help Lahore Qalandars beat a strong Peshawar Zalmi side in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) on Saturday.

Peshawar Zalmi, at some instances, showed signs of coming back in the game as they pursued a target of 165 runs, but failed to do so as the Lahore bowlers kept the run flow tight and took wickets at the right times.

Earlier, Tamim Iqbal provided a decent start to Peshawar before losing his fellow opener Mohammad Hafeez in the fourth over but contributed 30 off 22 balls before getting dismissed in the seventh over.

Cameron Delport was equally good with the bat as he smashed 78 off 61 balls for Lahore Qalandars in the first innings.

The South African southpaw in a 3rd wicket partnership with Umar Akmal plundered 101 runs at the rate of 9.46 runs per over against a strong Zalmi bowling attack.

Delport hit three sixes and six fours, while Akmal in his 31-ball-52 smashed six boundaries.

Chris Gayle continued his poor run of form for Lahore Qalandars as the flamboyant opener was dismissed for a duck.

Azhar Ali, the Lahore captain tried to provide stability after a poor start along with Delport but he also failed to make a meaningful contribution before falling out to Darren Sammy after scoring 25 off 26 balls.

Zalmi hoped to reclaim the top spot after winning the toss and bowling first against the embattled Qalandars side at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Dawid Malan came back for Zalmi in place of James Allenby while captain Azhar Ali and Adnan Rasool returned for the Qalandars.

Lahore, who were placed at the bottom of the PSL points table with just one victory in five games, by beating a dominant Zalmi side, made it easier for themselves to claim a play-off spot.

Opinion

Editorial

Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

PAKISTAN has now registered 50 polio cases this year. We all saw it coming and yet there was nothing we could do to...
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...
Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...