Babar Azam 71 Leads Zalmi to Big Win Over Gladiators*

Peshawar Zalmi strengthened their position at the top of PSL 2026 with a commanding eight-wicket win over Quetta Gladiators. In this Zalmi vs Gladiators clash, Babar Azam’s unbeaten 71 anchored a comfortable chase as his side reached 156 for 2 in response to 154.

The result extended Zalmi’s lead at the summit and pushed them closer to playoff qualification, while also marking their fifth consecutive win — a first in franchise history.

Bowlers set the platform

After opting to field first, Zalmi’s bowlers took control from the outset. Iftikhar Ahmed struck in the opening over, continuing his impressive run with the ball this season.

Quetta’s best phase came through a brief 35-run stand between Saud Shakeel and Rilee Rossouw, but it was short-lived. A direct hit from Farhan Yousaf at point ran out Shakeel and swung momentum back towards Zalmi.

Sufiyan Muqeem then took charge, dismissing Rossouw after trapping him on the crease before forcing Shamyl Hussain into a mistimed shot to long-on. The Gladiators struggled to build any sustained partnerships as the innings stalled repeatedly.

Mohammad Basit chipped in with key middle-order wickets, while Hasan Nawaz’s 37 off 35 balls lacked the urgency required to lift the total. Zalmi finished strongly with Ali Raza conceding just two runs off the bat in the final over, restricting Quetta to 154 all out.

Babar leads composed chase

Zalmi’s reply never encountered pressure. Mohammad Haris provided early momentum with a brisk 35, combining with Babar Azam to dominate the powerplay and put the chase firmly under control.

Even as Babar slowed briefly through the middle overs, it appeared a calculated effort to manage the chase rather than a result of tight bowling. When Haris fell to Saud Shakeel, Babar quickly shifted gears again to guide Kusal Mendis into the innings.

The partnerships flowed smoothly, and there was little sign of scoreboard pressure at any stage. Zalmi completed the chase in the 19th over, though the outcome had been effectively decided much earlier.

Zalmi’s dominance continues

With this victory, Peshawar Zalmi registered their sixth win in seven matches and reinforced their credentials as one of the strongest sides in PSL 2026.

Their balance across departments — disciplined bowling and controlled batting — has allowed them to dictate games consistently. For Quetta Gladiators, the defeat highlighted struggles with both building competitive totals and sustaining pressure against in-form opposition.

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