Peshawar Zalmi delivered one of the most dominant performances of the season, overwhelming Quetta Gladiators with both bat and ball in a one-sided encounter that reshaped the points table dynamics.
At the heart of the spectacle was Babar Azam, who produced a stunning unbeaten 100 from just 52 deliveries. Reaching the milestone off the final ball of the innings, it marked his 12th T20 century, placing him just behind Chris Gayle in the all-time list. His effort guided Zalmi to a massive 255, the highest total of the tournament so far.
The platform for this onslaught was laid early. Mohammad Haris launched the innings with an explosive opening over that yielded 22 runs, instantly putting the Gladiators on the back foot. After his departure, Kusal Mendis joined Babar to produce a breathtaking partnership. Mendis smashed 83 from 44 balls, continuing his remarkable run in the competition, while the duo combined for 135 runs in just 75 deliveries.
Although Babar started steadily, his acceleration in the closing stages was extraordinary. After reaching fifty without a single dot ball, he shifted gears dramatically, hammering 37 runs from his final 12 balls. His unselfish approach alongside Aaron Hardie ensured Zalmi maximised their total without compromising his milestone.
In response, the Gladiators never looked settled. Early breakthroughs from Mohammad Basit triggered a collapse, removing key batters including Saud Shakeel and Rilee Rossouw in quick succession. The momentum firmly swung Zalmi’s way as young pace sensation Ali Raza took centre stage.
Bowling at speeds exceeding 147 kmph, the 18-year-old tore through the middle order, finishing with outstanding figures of 3 for 9. Despite a brief resistance from Dinesh Chandimal and Bevon Jacobs, the Gladiators were bundled out for 137.
The emphatic win not only secured Zalmi a top-two finish but also delivered a significant boost to their net run rate, underlining their title credentials.
