Match Center

Right then! That is from the second game of the Friday double-header of PSL 2021. Peshawar Zalmi scaled a mountain of runs to go upto the second spot in the points table while, Quetta Gladiators need to go back to the drawing board and comeback strongly after fixing a few issues with their bowling and fielding as they still wait for their first win. The PSL action continues on 27th February, 2021. It is a double-header Saturday where in the first game Karachi Kings take on Multan Sultans followed by Peshawar Zalmi squaring off against Islamabad United. The action begins at 1400 local (0900 GMT). Till then stay safe, take care and goodbye.

Peshawar Zalmi's winning and happy skipper Wahab Riaz says that they chased in the last game and that gave them the confidence to play with freedom and express themselves. Adds that the wicket was good to bat and they did it. Admits he needs to work hard on his bowling and pull his socks up as he is the leader and needs to lead from the front. Wahab tells that it is a great feeling to win the game. Adds he knew that if he hit two sixes his side would win and he is happy to have done that.

Man of the match Haider Ali says that he is feeling good and he carried his form from the last game into this. He mentions that he was just thinking of building partnerships. He also says that all credit goes the the coach with the effort and the way they are coaching is helping him.

Earlier in the evening, Zalmi won the all-important toss and put Quetta Gladiators to bat. The Sarfaraz-led side responded extremely well with the skipper leading from the front. His 81 off 40 and Azam Khan's 26-ball 47 put Gladiotors in a very good position to get a total in excess of 200 but they threw it away in the final over. They could muster only 5 runs in the final over and that proved to be the difference as 198 was not good enough  for the Gladiators bowlers to defend.

Quetta Gladiators skipper, Sarfaraz Ahmed mentions that they are not fielding well and the turning point for them was Rutherford's missed run out. He says that they are not executing the bowling and the fielding is hurting them. He says that the team has bounced back with the batting but if they managed to lift their fielding then they can definitely make a comeback.

Sherfane Rutherford  is down for a chat. Rutherford says that it is the best thing for him as PSL has some of the best bowlers. He mentions that he is good to see the skipper step up. He mentions that Sammy had seen him before and he asked him to play his natural game.

Another heartbreak for Quetta Gladiators and once again it is the bowlers who have failed to defend a big total. The bowling was subpar, they were on top at one stage but they could not capitalise and win the crucial moments. Their fielding too has to be blamed as they were below par in the field. Mohammad Nawaz went for just 32 in his four overs and picked a wicket as well. Nawaz was economical in his 2 overs but that was it. Steyn bowled the penultimate over and was given a beating in his final over by Rutherford and Wahab. Every bowlers except the two spinners went for over 11 runs and when that happens defending a total always becomes next to impossible. Yes there was dew but the execution from the bowlers was once again to be blamed.

Chasing 199, Peshawar Zalmi needed a flying start like their last game but did not get that. Kamran Akmal and last game's star, Tom Kohler-Cadmore both departed inside the Powerplay. Imam and Haider though steadied the ship with their 52-run stand before the southpaw departed. Haider though showed his prowess and along with the experienced, Shoaib Malik kept the chase alive. Haider got to his fifty but perished soon after. Malik too did not last long. It looked like all hopes were lost when 54 was needed off 25 balls. But Sherfane Rutherford though kept things alive with his power hitting. Wahab who was a sleeping partner in most of that partnership, smoked Steyn for two sixes in the penultimate over and turned things 360 degrees, and put his side on top. A few hiccups in the final over but Rutherford managed to keep his nerve and saw his side over the line.

What a finish! Peshawar Zalmi have done it! They have done the unthinkable and chased down this big target. At one stage it looked like it was a lost cause but Wahab and Sherfane have stolen victory from the jaws of defeat! Take a bow! Frustration, agony, and heartbreak yet again for Quetta Gladiators. They remain the only side in this tournament yet to get a win and the trend of chase it and win it continues.

FOUR! That is the game then! This is the 4th highest run chase in this year's PSL. Full and around off, Sherfane drives it through covers to seal the deal for Peshwar Zalmi. THEY WIN BY 3 WICKETS!

FIVE WIDES! Ohh man Hasnain what have you done! After all the hard work you let the game off. Hasnain bowls a full and wide one outside off. Wide off the reach of Sarfaraz too as the ball races to the third man fence. Wides given. Just a single needed.

Mujeeb walks out to bat but he will be at the non-striker's end.

OUT! RUN OUT! Indecison in running sees a wicket fall! Last over panic this is! Length and around off, Mahmood strokes it to covers and takes off for a single after hesitation. Mohammad Nawaz from there throws it to Hasnain who takes the bails off. Saqib was nowhere in the frame there.

6 needed off 5 and who walks to bat now? It is going to be Saqib Mahmood. His brilliant final over might well be the difference between the sides.

OUT! TIMBER! The leg pole is out of the groove there. Full and quick yorker on middle. Wahab tries to finish things quickly as he looks for a mighty hit., He though misses but the ball does not as the leg pole lays flat.

Full on off, Wahab inside edges it past the stumps and towards fine leg for a single. 6 needed off the last over.

SIX! Wahab repaying with the bat now! That is over the roof there. Enormous strike! Length and on the pads, Wahab flicks it and deposits it over deep square leg for a biggie.