PSL: Faheem Ashraf’s five-wicket haul leads Gladiators to dominant 64-run win

Dubai: Medium-pacer Faheem Ashraf’s five-wicket haul guided Quetta Gladiators to a 64-run win over Peshawar Zalmi in their Pakistan Super League encounter on Sunday.

Chasing a daunting target of 180, Zalmi were bowled out for just 114. Faheem struck twice in quick succession, removing Saim Ayub and Babar Azam, before Mohammad Wasim dismissed Tom Kohler-Cadmore to leave Zalmi reeling at 32 for 3. Despite brief resistance from Mohammad Haris and Abdul Samad, Faheem and Gladiators’ disciplined attack prevented any fightback.

Zalmi’s tail crumbled as Mitchell Owen and Khurram Shahzad fell, and despite Hussain Talat’s 39 from 34 balls, Faheem wrapped up the innings with his fifth wicket when Muqeem was caught at mid-on, securing a dominant win for the Gladiators.

Player of the Match Faheem Ashraf said, “The pitch was totally different today; the length ball was bouncing more than usual. This is not what we usually see in PSL across different pitches in Pakistan. I’m always ready to bowl at any stage of the game, and I prepare myself for whatever situation arises.”

Gladiators’ batting: Put in to bat first, Gladiators made a strong start, with Finn Allen blasting 31 off 16 balls and Rilee Rossouw continuing the charge. Four boundaries in the final over of the powerplay saw them reach 67, but Zalmi’s spinners, Sufiyan Muqeem and Saim Ayub, slowed the scoring, taking key wickets. Rossouw fell to Ayub, and Shakeel was dismissed soon after. A late surge from Mark Chapman, who scored 17 off Raza’s final over, took Gladiators to 179.

Quetta Gladiators beat Peshawar Zalmi by 64 runs. Quetta Gladiators 178 for 7 (Chapman 33, Kusal 32, Shakeel 32, Joseph 3-33) beat Peshawar Zalmi 114 (Talat 39, Faheem 5-33).