Daily Times

DUBAI: Middle-order batsman Umar Akmal sparkled as Quetta Gladiators defeated Peshawar Zalmi by six wickets in the third match of the Pakistan Super League at Dubai International Stadium on Friday night. Twice runners-up Quetta, led by Sarfraz Ahmed, restricted Peshawar to 155-4 in their 20 overs after sending them into bat. Kamran Akmal and veteran Misbahul Haq hit 49 each as Peshawar only managed a late charge, scoring 54 runs in the last five overs. Umar then smashed 50-ball 75 not out with three sixes and seven fours to steer Quetta to a comfortable chase in the 19.4 overs, for the fifth win over rivals in eleven matches. Sarfraz attributed the win to a team work. “Overall it was a team performance,” said Sarfraz. “We bowled well to restrict them to 155-4 and then Umar played a brilliant knock, so I am very happy at that.” Peshawar captain Darren Sammy said his team did not put a big total on the board. “We didn’t get enough runs but did well to take the match to the last over,” said Sammy. “It was just the first game and we reached final both times after losing the first game, so we need to lift ourselves in the next game.”

Brief scores:

Quetta Gladiators 161 for 4 (Umar Akmal 75 not out, Sarfraz Ahmed 37, Wahab Riaz 2-18) beat Peshawar Zalmi 155 for 4 (Misbahul Haq 49 not out, Kamran Akmal 49, Mohammad Nawaz 2-25) by six wickets.

Published in Daily Times, February 17^th 2019.