Karachi, April 15, 2026: A sensational bowling performance by Sufiyan Muqeem guided Peshawar Zalmi to a commanding position as they restricted arch-rivals Quetta Gladiators to a modest total in the 23rd match of the Pakistan Super League Season 11 at the National Bank Stadium on Wednesday.
Muqeem claimed his fifth consecutive three-wicket haul, playing a pivotal role in dismissing the Gladiators for 154 in their allotted 20 overs.
Zalmi skipper Babar Azam opted to field first, a decision that proved decisive as his bowlers kept the Gladiators under constant pressure.
Quetta endured a shaky start when opener Ahsan Ali was dismissed for four by Iftikhar Ahmed on the third ball of the innings. Captain Saud Shakeel attempted to stabilize the innings with South African batter Rilee Rossouw, adding 35 runs for the second wicket before Shakeel was run out for 16 off 13 balls.
Rossouw continued to counterattack and stitched a 29-run stand with Hassan Nawaz, scoring 28 off 16 deliveries, including four boundaries, before falling to Muqeem.
Muqeem struck again in the 12th over, dismissing Shamyl Hussain for 12. With the scoreboard reading 86/4, Hassan Nawaz and Khawaja Nafay attempted to rebuild the innings with a 26-run partnership.
Nawaz top-scored with 37 off 35 balls, hitting four fours, while Nafay contributed 20 off 13 deliveries. However, their dismissals in successive overs reduced the Gladiators to 120/6, derailing hopes of a competitive finish.
Despite a late cameo from Tom Curran, who scored 15 off 10 balls, Quetta’s lower order crumbled under sustained pressure.
Zalmi’s disciplined bowling attack wrapped up the innings by claiming the remaining four wickets for just 34 runs in the final overs.
Muqeem led the charge with figures of 3 for 25 in four overs, while Abdul Basit matched his tally with three wickets. Iftikhar Ahmed chipped in with one crucial scalp, ensuring Quetta finished with a below-par total.
With this impressive display, league leaders Peshawar Zalmi strengthened their dominance in PSL 11 and set the stage for a confident run chase.
