Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) most underrated side Quetta Gladiators defeated the high-flying Peshawar Zalmi by three wickets on Sunday to remain unbeaten in the tournament.
Chasing 136 for victory, Quetta needed 7 off the last over when Zimababwe’s Elton Chigumbura smashed Peshawar’s Wahab Riaz for a boundary to bring Sarfraz Ahmed’s side home with three wickets to spare.
Earlier, the Gladiators’ skipper Sarfraz won the toss and put Zalmi in on a relatively easy wicket.
In their allotted 20 overs, Zalmi stuttered but Darren Sammy’s blistering 31-ball 48 propelled them to 135. Left-arm spin sensation Mohammad Nawaz was the pick of the bowlers for Quetta with figures of 4-29-3 and was ably supported by Umar Gul who chipped in with two wickets.
In the chase, Quetta’s successful opening pair of Ahmed Shehzad and Luke Wright put 35 inside 4 overs before both were dismissed. Zalmi captain Shahid Afridi accounted for Wright while Aussie paceman Shaun Tait snapped up Shehzad.
England discard and T20 superstar Kevin Pietersen then smashed 35 off 29 balls to add impetus to the Quetta chase of which the finishing touches were added by Anwar Ali and Chigumbura.
Nawaz was once again awarded the man of the match for his brilliant spell.