Lahore: Quetta Gladiators made a powerful statement in the opening clash of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 10, demolishing Peshawar Zalmi by a massive 80-run margin at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday night.
Electing to bat first after winning the toss, Quetta got off to a blistering start, thanks to an explosive opening stand between Jason Roy and Saud Shakeel. Roy played a scintillating knock of 71 off just 38 balls, peppering the boundary with precision and aggression. Shakeel provided steady support with a well-paced 43, helping the Gladiators race past 100 inside the first 10 overs.
The middle-order capitalized on the platform, with captain Sarfaraz Ahmed chipping in a valuable 34, and Sherfane Rutherford smashing 27* off just 14 balls in the death overs. Quetta posted a formidable total of 196/6 in their 20 overs, leaving Zalmi with a stiff chase.
Peshawar’s response got off to a rocky start and never quite recovered. Gladiators’ pace duo Mohammad Hasnain and Mohammad Amir dismantled Zalmi’s top order, reducing them to 45/4 inside the powerplay. Babar Azam, the Peshawar captain, was dismissed for just 12, and the rest of the batting lineup failed to cope with the mounting pressure.
Spinner Abrar Ahmed turned the screws further with a brilliant spell, picking up 3 wickets for just 19 runs. Zalmi were eventually bundled out for a meager 116 in 17.3 overs, handing Quetta a resounding 80-run victory — their largest ever win in terms of runs in PSL history.
Speaking after the match, Sarfaraz praised his team’s all-round performance. “We played fearless cricket today, both with the bat and the ball. This is the start we were hoping for.”
With this emphatic win, Quetta Gladiators have sent an early warning to the rest of the league, looking rejuvenated and ready to challenge for the PSL 10 crown.
