Picture Credit: X/PSL
In the second match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 between Peshawar Zalmi (PZ) and Quetta Gladiators (QG) in Rawalpindi, a heated faceoff between veteran Mohammad Amir and young Saim Ayub took place. The second match witnessed the dominance of Gladiators, who won the game by a massive margin of 90 runs. Quetta captain Saud Shakeel led his team from the front and played an impactful 59-run knock off just 42 balls. He was accompanied by his opening partner Finn Allen, who racked up 53 off just 25 balls. The fierce opening stand emboldened other successive batters to take charge against bowlers and eventually, Quetta reached a total of 216/3 in 20 overs.
Defending the score, Mohammad Amir delivered the first breakthrough to the QG as the pacer got rid of PZ skipper Babar Azam in the first over. Before dismissing Babar, Amir sledged Ayub but the youngster remained calm. On the second delivery, the southpaw took a single and went towards the non-striker’s end. This time, Ayub also said something back. However, the confrontation between both players resulted in Amir’s favour as the speedster eventually picked up the PZ captain on the last ball of the over.
Abrar Ahmed grabs a four-wicket haul in PZ’s comprehensive triumph
Abrar Ahmed played the role of wrecker-in-chief against Zalmi. Along with Usman Tariq, he formed a formidable spin-bowling duo that folded Peshawar on just 136 in 15.1 overs. After Babar’s fall, Abrar outclassed Mohammad Haris and Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who have the potential to play explosive shots.
Tariq chipped in with the crucial scalps of Hussain Talat and Max Byrant. Abrar’s brilliant bowling performance also got him the player of the match (POTM) award. QG will next take on Lahore Qalandars (LQ) in the super Sunday clash at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on April 13.
