Lahore Qalandars storm into PSL X playoffs after crushing Peshawar Zalmi by 26 runs in a rain-hit thriller. Fakhar Zaman and Salman Mirza shine as Zalmi crash out. Peshawar’s playoff dreams shattered as Lahore’s all-round performance seals a clinical victory in Rawalpindi.
The Pakistan Super League (PSL X) playoff race took a dramatic turn as Lahore Qalandars eliminated Peshawar Zalmi from the tournament with a solid 26-run victory in the 29th match at Pindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday night.
Batting first in a 13-over rain-shortened clash, Lahore posted 149/8, thanks to a blazing 60 off 36 by Fakhar Zaman, featuring 7 boundaries and 3 sixes. The Qalandars were off to a flying start as Mohammad Naeem smashed 22 off just 10 balls, while late cameos from Asif Ali (18 off 6) and Shaheen Afridi (8*) boosted the total.
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Peshawar’s bowlers—Daniel Sams, Ali Raza, and Ahmed Daniyal—fought hard, each grabbing two wickets, but Lahore’s run rate soared to 11.46 despite their efforts.
In response, Zalmi’s chase never got going.
Despite Saim Ayub’s valiant 87 off 76, the rest of the batting lineup collapsed. Salman Mirza turned the game with 4 key wickets, including the dangerous Saim, who was bizarrely dismissed hit wicket. Babar Azam (16), Haris (8), and Bryant (0) fell cheaply, while Daniel Sams was the only lower-order batter to resist, scoring an unbeaten 26.
Zalmi stumbled to 123/8 in 13 overs, ending their journey in PSL X.
The match began under floodlights at 9:50 PM after Peshawar opted to bowl first at the toss. Adjusted playing conditions allowed three bowlers to bowl a maximum of three overs and two bowlers only two, with the powerplay ending after four overs.
While Lahore’s bowlers were sharp and strategic, Peshawar’s batting order failed under pressure, marking their exit from the tournament.
