In a riveting encounter between Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi on Sunday, the spotlight shone brightly on two standout performers – Rassie van der Dussen and Saim Ayub. As Lahore faced their fifth consecutive defeat, van der Dussen’s exceptional century, a blazing 104* off 52 balls, stood out as a beacon of brilliance amidst the team’s struggles. His innings, the first century of PSL 2024, showcased his prowess as a top-order batter, yet it couldn’t salvage Lahore’s quest for victory.
On the other hand, Saim Ayub’s valiant 88 off 55 balls earned him the coveted Player of the Match award. Ayub’s gritty knock anchored Peshawar Zalmi’s innings, providing the platform for their eventual triumph. While van der Dussen’s century went in vain, Ayub’s contribution proved decisive in securing Zalmi’s victory by 8 runs.
In the first innings, Zalmi posted a formidable total of 211/4, with Babar Azam leading the charge with a captain’s knock of 48 off 36 balls, supported by Rovman Powell’s explosive 46 off just 20 deliveries. Despite van der Dussen’s heroic efforts, Lahore fell short, managing 203/6 in their chase.
Naveen ul Haq’s figures of 2/50 in four overs for Zalmi were expensive, but it was Paul Walter’s stellar performance in the death overs that sealed the deal. Walter’s crucial wickets in the final over, including the dismissals of Jahandad Khan and Sikandar Raza, proved decisive in thwarting Lahore’s late surge. Van der Dussen’s late onslaught, including a six off the last ball, showcased his fighting spirit, but it wasn’t enough to change the outcome.
In hindsight, while Saim Ayub’s innings was instrumental in Zalmi’s victory, Rassie van der Dussen’s exceptional century deserved more recognition, especially considering its rarity as the first of the season. Despite the defeat, van der Dussen’s stellar performance serves as a reminder of his prowess with the bat and his potential to turn the tide for Lahore Qalandars in future encounters.
Also, see:
Struggling Bowlers: The Achilles’ Heel of Lahore Qalandars in PSL 2024
