Shakib Al Hasan played a key role as Lahore Qalandars defeated Peshawar Zalmi in the playoffs. With his all-round performance, Lahore stormed into the next round, knocking out Peshawar and keeping their hopes alive in the tournament.
Lahore Qualifies for PSL Play-Offs After Beating Peshawar by 26 Runs
Lahore Qalandars defeated Peshawar Zalmi by 26 runs in a rain-shortened match to qualify for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) play-offs. The match, held in Rawalpindi, was reduced to 13 overs per side due to heavy rain, but it still delivered plenty of action and excitement.
Lahore’s experienced all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan, had a tough debut for the team. The Bangladeshi star, who had previously played for both Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings in the PSL, failed to perform with both bat and ball. Still, LQ managed to win the crucial game without much help from him.
Shakib Has a Day to Forget
Shakib came out to bat at number seven but was dismissed on the very first ball he faced. Peshawar’s Ahmed Daniel bowled him out by hitting the middle stump, giving Shakib a golden duck. Later, with the ball, he bowled only two overs and conceded 18 runs without taking a wicket.
Though Shakib’s performance was disappointing, his team didn’t let that affect their momentum. LQ had strong contributions from other players who stepped up to lead the team to victory.
Lahore Pile Up Big Runs Despite Fewer Overs
Lahore batted first and made good use of the 13 overs. They scored an impressive 149 runs while losing 7 wickets. Fakhar Zaman was the star of the show with a brilliant 60 runs from just 36 balls. His explosive batting set the tone early for Lahore.
Supporting him were Mohammad Naeem with 22 runs from just 10 balls, Asif Ali with 18 runs from 6 balls, and Kushal Perera with 17 runs from 8 balls. These quick-fire innings helped Lahore put up a total that proved too big for Peshawar to chase.
Peshawar’s Chase Falls Apart
Chasing 150 in 13 overs was never going to be easy, and Peshawar Zalmi struggled to keep up with the required run rate. Their captain, Babar Azam, tried to lead from the front, scoring 16 runs from 13 balls, but his innings was slower than required for such a short game.
Daniel Sams added 26 runs from 14 balls, while Ahmed Daniel scored 24 runs from 14 balls and Abdul Samad chipped in with 17 runs off 10. Despite these efforts, Peshawar could only reach 123 runs for 8 wickets by the end of their innings.
Lahore’s bowlers did a great job keeping the pressure on. Salman Mirza was especially effective and was named the Player of the Match for his excellent bowling performance. He took 4 wickets and gave away just 31 runs in his spell, playing a key role in Peshawar’s collapse.
Lahore Moves On to the Next Round
Thanks to this 26-run win, Lahore Qalandars secured their place in the PSL play-offs. Even though Shakib did not perform well on his debut, the team showed they could win with contributions from other players.
This victory was important for Lahore as it knocked out Peshawar Zalmi from the tournament. Now, with confidence and momentum, Shaheen Shah Afridi’s team will look to continue their journey toward the PSL trophy.
Score Summary:
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| Lahore Qalandars | 149/7 in 13 overs |
| Peshawar Zalmi | 123/8 in 13 overs |
| Result | Lahore Qalandars won by 26 runs |
| Player of the Match | Salman Mirza (4/31) |
Final Note:
Shakib may have had a forgettable start, but Lahore’s team effort earned them a well-deserved place in the play-offs. Fans will now hope Shakib bounces back stronger in the upcoming games.