KARACHI (Kashmir English): The 2017 champions, Peshawar Zalmi holds top spot in the eight-team tournament’s standings and have formally qualified for the playoffs of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.
Zalmi have 13 points in seven matches and also have their top-four finish guaranteed following Quetta Gladiators thrashed Lahore Qalandars by six wickets here at the National Bank Stadium earlier on Friday.
The Gladiators’ victory means that Zalmi’s tally of 13 points can no longer be surpassed by the fourth-placed side by the end of the league stage.
Zalmi started their PSL 11 campaign with a commanding five-wicket win over debutants Rawalpindiz in the high-scoring game, while rain washed out their subsequent fixture in Lahore against Islamabad United.
The 2017 champions then recorded consecutive wins over Hyderabad Kingsmen, Karachi Kings, defending champions Qalandars, Multan Sultans and the Gladiators, respectively, to win their top spot.
Zalmi’s will play their next match against the Gladiators on Sunday, before they head back to Lahore, where they will be locking horns with the Kings and home side Qalandars on April 22 and 25, respectively.
It is pertinent to mention that after Zalmi’s guaranteed top-four finish, all seven remaining sides remain in the race to make it to the playoffs.
Peshawar Zalmi squad for PSL 11
Babar Azam (c), Sufiyan Muqeem, Abdul Samad, Ali Raza, Aaron Hardie, Aamir Jamal, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Haris, Khalid Usman, Abdul Subhan, Tanzid Hasan, Michael Bracewell, Kusal Mendis, Iftikhar Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Kashif Ali, Shahnawaz Dahani, Farhan Yousuf, Brian Bennett, Mohammad Basit and Shoriful Islam.
