Lahore Qalandars take the lead at the top

After the drama of Wednesday night, the Lahore Qalandars ensure their victory; on late Thursday night would be slightly more straightforward, seeing off Peshawar Zalmi by ten runs.

A magical five-wicket haul for Rashid Khan – his first in franchise T20 cricket ; ripped the heart out of Zalmi’s middle order, ensuring a valiant 48-ball 73; from Shoaib Malik wouldn’t really come close to taking them over the line.

That didn’t mean the Qalandars didn’t take the scenic route, though. The men in green looked as if they had batted themselves out of the game when they were reduced to 25 for 4 inside eight overs. Thereafter, however, it was all Qalandars, thanks initially to a match-rescuing 81-run partnership between Ben Dunk and Tim David to set their side back on course.

David then combined with James Faulkner to take it up a notch in the final six overs, which saw 90 runs scored. The Singapore batter led the way with a 36-ball 64, setting Zalmi a stiff 171 for victory.

Peshawar Zalmi would end up mirroring the Lahore Qalandars’ woeful start, losing openers Kamran Akmal and Haider Ali to Faulkner’s first over, whose irrepressible start to the PSL may even see the Australian selectors begin to pay attention in a World Cup year.

Also, a 51-run stand between Malik and David Miller kept Zalmi interests, but that was before the Rashid Khan show. The legspinner would rip apart the middle order, as he was near impossible; to either read or play for Zalmi. By the time he was done with his spell; Zalmi were all but out of the contest. Umaid Asif kept the Qalandars’ nerves jangling; with a breezy cameo at the death.

The blows from Zalmi kept coming but David and Dunk together came with the Qalandars’ rescue.

However, the Qalandars extend their lead at the top of the table with five wins in six games. The defeat sees Zalmi drop down to fourth.