Babar Azam hundred seals 118-run Zalmi win

Peshawar Zalmi produced a dominant display in PSL 11, with a Babar Azam hundred driving a massive total before their bowlers dismantled Quetta Gladiators for a 118-run victory.

Zalmi piled up 255 for 3, the highest total of the tournament, before bowling Gladiators out for 137 to hand them a heavy defeat.

Babar and Mendis dominate with match-defining stand

After Gladiators chose to chase, Zalmi immediately seized control. Mohammad Haris set the tone by taking 22 runs off the opening over from Jahandad Khan, putting early pressure on the bowling side.

Following Haris’ cameo, Babar Azam and Kusal Mendis took charge in emphatic fashion. The pair added 135 runs in just 75 deliveries, dismantling the Gladiators attack with sustained aggression.

Mendis struck 83 off 44 balls, maintaining his strong run in the tournament, while Babar anchored the innings before accelerating sharply. His unbeaten 100 came off 52 balls, reaching the milestone on the final delivery of the innings.

Notably, Babar reached his half-century without facing a dot ball, before shifting gears late in the innings. He scored 37 runs off his final 12 deliveries, ensuring Zalmi pushed beyond the 250 mark.

Gladiators collapse under sustained pressure

Chasing 256, the Gladiators never gained momentum. Shamyl Hussain and Saud Shakeel struggled to build a foundation, and the innings quickly unraveled.

Mohammad Basit triggered the collapse by dismissing Saud Shakeel and Rilee Rossouw in quick succession, with Rossouw departing for a golden duck.

Ali Raza then took control with the ball, removing Hasan Nawaz and Shamyl Hussain in successive phases to reduce Gladiators to 44 for 4. The 18-year-old impressed with his pace, regularly exceeding 147, and finished with outstanding figures of 3 for 9.

A brief partnership between Dinesh Chandimal and Bevon Jacobs, who top-scored with 34, helped Gladiators reach three figures, but the result was never in doubt.

Zalmi eventually bowled Gladiators out for 137, sealing a comprehensive 118-run win.

Match shaped by overwhelming batting platform

The contest was effectively decided during Zalmi’s innings. The 135-run stand between Babar Azam and Kusal Mendis created a platform that left little room for recovery.

Babar’s late acceleration ensured the total climbed from strong to unreachable, while Mendis’ aggressive strokeplay kept the pressure constant throughout the middle overs.

With such a target on the board, the Gladiators were forced into risk from the outset, which led to a steady stream of wickets.

Impact on the tournament

This result strengthens Peshawar Zalmi’s position, with the already-qualified side moving closer to securing a top-two finish after delivering a significant net run-rate boost.

For Quetta Gladiators, the heavy defeat not only ends the contest emphatically but also leaves them under pressure in a tightly contested points table where margins can prove decisive.

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