Muqeem and Basit shine as Zalmi limit Gladiators to 155

Quetta Gladiators vs Peshawar Zalmi – (Web Desk) – Quetta Gladiators set a manageable target of 155 runs for Peshawar Zalmi in the 23rd match of Pakistan Super League Season 11 at National Bank Stadium on Wednesday, thanks to a controlled bowling effort led by Sufiyan Muqeem and Abdul Basit.

After choosing to bowl first, Zalmi skipper Babar Azam saw his decision work early as Gladiators were restricted to 154 all out in their 20 overs.

Quetta had a rough start, losing opener Ahsan Ali for just four runs in the first over, dismissed by Iftikhar Ahmed. Captain Saud Shakeel tried to steady things with Rilee Rossouw, putting together a 35-run stand before being run out for 16 off 13 balls.

Rossouw kept the momentum going with an aggressive knock, adding 29 runs with Hassan Nawaz. He scored a quick 28 off 16 balls, including four boundaries, before falling to Muqeem.

Muqeem struck again in the 12th over, dismissing Shamyl Hussain for 12, leaving Quetta in trouble at 86 for 4. Nawaz and Khawaja Nafay tried to rebuild with a careful 26-run partnership, but both were dismissed in quick succession, pushing Gladiators back to 120 for 6 in 15.4 overs.

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Nawaz top-scored with a steady 37 off 35 balls, hitting four fours, while Nafay contributed 20 off 13 deliveries. Late resistance came from Tom Curran, who scored a quick 15 off 10 balls, but Zalmi’s bowlers wrapped up the innings efficiently, taking the final four wickets for 34 runs.

Muqeem continued his impressive run in the tournament, registering his fifth consecutive three-wicket haul and finishing with economical figures of three for 25 in four overs. Basit matched his tally with three wickets, while Iftikhar chipped in with one dismissal.