Zalmi Cruise Past Qalandars as Joseph, Babar, and Talat Steal the Show in Lahore
Ruthless Zalmi Punish Qalandars in Their Own Backyard
Lahore —Peshawar Zalmi delivered a clinical performance to secure a dominant seven-wicket win over Lahore Qalandars at the Gaddafi Stadium, with standout contributions from Alzarri Joseph, Babar Azam, and Hussain Talat. The victory not only lifted Zalmi above Qalandars on the points table but also may have signaled a turning point in their season.
With both teams desperately needing a win, it was Zalmi who turned up sharper and more focused, outplaying the home side in all departments. Joseph’s early blitz with the ball dismantled the Qalandars’ top order, before a calm and composed chase, led by Babar and Talat’s unbeaten fifties, sealed the deal with 20 balls to spare.
Joseph and Wood Tear Through Qalandars’ Top Order
Winning the toss and electing to bowl, Babar Azam’s call was immediately justified. The Qalandars’ innings was in tatters within minutes as Alzarri Joseph (3-15) and Luke Wood (2-25) tore through the top order, reducing them to a shocking 21 for 4.
Fakhar Zaman’s early boundaries gave false hope before he edged behind. The collapse was swift: Asif Ali, Abdullah Shafique, and Daryl Mitchell followed cheaply, with Babar himself taking a fine catch to dismiss Sam Billings. The onslaught had Gaddafi Stadium stunned into silence.
Only Sikandar Raza, celebrating his birthday, stood firm. His well-paced 52 off 37 balls brought some respectability to the innings, with some support from the tail. A late burst in the 17th over from Raza briefly lifted Qalandars past 120, but a tight final over from Joseph, followed by Ali Raza’s accurate penultimate, ensured Lahore were bowled out for just 129.
Babar and Talat’s Composure Calm Early Nerves
Chasing a modest target, Zalmi suffered early jitters as Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf struck in the first two overs, removing Saim Ayub and Tom Kohler-Cadmore. The pace and fire of Rauf in particular caused trouble, with Babar and Mohammad Haris looking uncertain.
However, once the early storm passed, the calm took over. Haris fell trying to press the scoring, but from there on, it was all about the class of Babar Azam and the composure of Hussain Talat.
Babar’s innings was a familiar tale of measured brilliance — anchored with smart rotation, well-placed boundaries, and expert handling of spin. He reached his half-century off 37 balls, surviving a close LBW shout off Rauf thanks to DRS and following up with a signature flick to the ropes.
Talat, meanwhile, grew into his innings with grace. Not a natural power-hitter, he capitalized on the lack of scoreboard pressure to build confidently. As the Qalandars’ intensity dropped post-Powerplay, the duo added 93 runs together, calmly guiding Zalmi to victory.
Talat finished it in style with consecutive boundaries off a deflated Rauf, bringing up both the win and his own unbeaten fifty.
A Statement Win for Zalmi
With this result, Peshawar Zalmi leapfrogged Lahore Qalandars into fourth place based on net run rate. After a rocky campaign, this win may just provide the spark they’ve been searching for.
As for Lahore, the performance raises fresh questions — particularly around their top-order fragility and inconsistency with the ball after the initial burst. With playoff pressure mounting, they’ll need more than a birthday half-century from Raza to turn things around.
For now, it’s Zalmi walking tall — clinical, confident, and very much back in the playoff picture.
