Afridi returns career best figures as Zalmi beat Gladiators by 8 wickets

SHARJAH: Pakistan superstar Shahid Afridi bagged a career-best 4 – 1 – 7 – 5 and led the Peshawar Zalmi bowling attack to bowl out the number one Pakistan Super League (PSL) side Quetta Gladiators for 129 and later achieved the target with 8 wickets in hand and as many balls to spare here on Sunday.

David Malan made an unbeaten 60 off 52 balls while his opening partner Mohammad Hafeez with 36 (29) and Kamran Akmal 17 (27) helped him to cross the winning line with ease.

Zulfiar Babar and Mohammad Nawaz took a wicket each for Gladiators.

Graham Elliott was the top scorer for Gladiators, who batted first after winning the toss, with a 29-ball 40. At one point they were reduced to 66-9 but a 63-run record partnership between Zulfiqar Babar (20*) and Elliott for tenth wicket took them to somewhat a respectable total.

Wahaba Riaz grabbed two wickets while Junaid Khan and Mohammad took one wicket each for Zalmi.

Gladiators skipper Sarfraz Ahmed had won the toss, for the seventh time on the trot, and elected to bat in the 17th match of PSL against Peshawar Zalmi here at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Sarfaraz Ahmed said he has made many changes in the team for today’s match including Kumar Sangakkara making his way in for Luke Wright. Asad Shafique also made it to playing eleven for Gladiators.

Zalmi skipper, Shahid Afridi said his team should have won the last match against Lahore Qalandars. He said Brad Hodge is replacing Tamim Iqbal today.

The two teams playing today are at the top of the points table.

Wahab clashes Shehzad

Emotions got the best of Ahmed Shahzad and Wahab Riaz when after being hit for a massive six, the latter bowled the former out on the very next delivery. The two Pakistan players pushed each other and exchanged harsh words. Other players from the two teams came to the rescue and kept the hot heads from causing anymore damage to each other.

Teams

Quetta Gladiators: Ahmed Shehzad, KC Sangakkara, Asad Shafiq, GD Elliott, Mohammad Nabi, Sarfraz Ahmed (C), E Chigumbura, Zulfiqar Babar, Akbar-ur-Rehman, Mohammad Nawaz, Umar Gul

Peshawar Zalmi: Mohammad Hafeez, DJ Malan, Kamran Akmal, Shahid Yousuf, BJ Hodge, Shahid Afridi (c), DJG Sammy, Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Asghar, SW Tait