Match 2, Karachi, January 28, 2022, 08:00 PM

190/4(20.0ov)
191/5(19.4ov)

Peshawar Zalmi beat Quetta Gladiators by 5 wickets

Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
97
62
11
4
156.45
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
4
44
3
11
Man of the Match
Will Smeed
Commentry
Right then. That’s it from the coverage of this game. Peshawar Zalmi have opened their campaign with a win. The PSL action will continue on 30th January with a couple of games coming your way. In the first game, Multan Sultan takes on Lahore Qalanders at 1500 IST (0930 GMT). Followed by a game between Karachi Kings and Quetta Gladiators which will begin at 2000 IST (1430 GMT). Do join us early for the build-up. Till then take care and goodbye!
Shoaib Malik, the victorious skipper, says that they didn't really start well and there are areas that they need to improve. Mentions that their bowling is their backbone but they can definitely improve their fielding. Tells that winning always gives you confidence but this is a long tournament and the boundaries are also longer than the last edition and that's why they need to improve their fielding. Adds that Naseem Shah bowled very well. Says that it is good to see from the youngster to use the conditions very well. On asked how does he look so fit, he says that he still loves going to the gym and doing the hard work. Tells that that's why he looks young and for him, age is just a number. Ends by saying that one need to be disciplined in order to achieve success.
Sarfaraz Ahmed, the Quetta Gladiators skipper, is in for a chat. He says, they finished 10-12 runs short in the end. Mentions, they lost their track in the middle overs with the ball. Adds, unfortunately they could not end the game on a stronger note.
Will Smeed wins the Man of the Match award. He says that he is very lucky to get the opportunity. Mentions that he struggled a bit against spinners and slower balls. Tells that he will try to take some confidence from the match and says that he will try to score more runs in the upcoming matches as well. Adds that it is a great chance for him to improve his game in different conditions.
Stay tuned for presentation...
Sherfane Rutherford is in for a chat, He says that it was indeed a big total, but they were confident about chasing it down and the guys played very well. Mentions that the Gladiators played very well and credit to them for putting a strong total on the board as they thought it was a 120-130 kind of track. Tells that it is good to be in Pakistan and the fans are also here and that's why he is happy playing some cricket.
Earlier in the innings, it was the opening start of Quetta Gladiators that set the platform for the side, but they could not make the most of it and ended up below the 200-run mark. Later, Peshawar Zalmi did well to the blade to chase down the target quite confidently. The skipper, Shoaib Malik, kept his cool in the end to get over the line.
Quetta Gladiators could not get a lid over the run rate and that costed them the game. Mohammad Nawaz was the star with the ball with his three-wicket haul. There were seven bowlers that the skipper worked with and only three returned to give success. This tells you why it ended the way it did.
This was a top-class performance with the blade by Zalmi. Even though they kept losing wickets at regular intervals their batters made sure to always keep the run rate in check. They never went back in the chase. Zalmi lost two wickets inside the Powerplay, but they never let the opposition build on the moment. Talat stitched a crucial stand in the middle with Malik but got sent back after making his 52. In the end, it was Malik who applied the finishing touches to get his side over the line.
What a game! Peshawar Zalmi put a good fight till they very end. They never got fazed by the target and eventually, Peshawar Zalmi got over the line with 2 balls to spare.
In over# 20
1
2
0
0W
1wd
Naseem Shah 19/1(3.4)
19.4
1
That's it! Shoaib Malik takes his side home with a win. Fuller in length, on the pads. Shoaib Malik clips it on the leg side for a single. PESHAWAR ZALMI WIN BY 5 WICKETS!
19.3
2
Scores level now! Short of a length, on off. Shoaib Malik pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs. Good running!
19.2
.
Slower, length ball, outside off. Malik looks to chase it but misses.
Ben Cutting is the new man in.
19.1
W
OUT! CAUGHT! Hang on, the game is still alive. Another twist in the tale. We told you, this game is going right down the wire. Length ball, on middle. Sherfane Rutherford went for the glory shot but heaves it straight down the throat of the long on fielder where Mohammad Nawaz takes the catch. 3 needed from 5 balls.
19.1
1wd
WIDE! Oh no! Just 4 runs are needed and Quetta Gladiators cannot afford a wide at this stage. A bouncer, on leg. Sherfane Rutherford sways away from the line. Wide called.
In over# 19
6
4
6
1
4
1
James Faulkner 40/1(4)
18.6
6
SIX! Shoaib Malik is putting on a show here! He is taking his team over the line. 22 runs from the over. Just what the doctor ordered. Length ball, outside off. Shoaib Malik goes down on his knee and sends the ball sailing over long on for a biggie. Just 4 needed now from the last over.