Peshawar Zalmi spinner Sufiyan Muqeem achieved history by becoming the first bowler in Pakistan Super League (PSL) to claim three or more wickets across five consecutive matches.
His fifth successive three-wicket haul spearheaded the bowling attack for Peshawar Zalmi, restricting Quetta Gladiators to 154 all out during the 23rd match at National Bank Stadium.
The decision of Captain Babar Azam to field first proved decisive, as Gladiators struggled to build momentum and collapsed under sustained bowling pressure throughout their innings.
Opening batters faltered immediately, with Ahsan Ali dismissed for four by Iftikhar Ahmed, while captain Saud Shakeel managed only 16 runs before being run out.
Rilee Rossouw attempted recovery with a brisk 28 from 16 balls, but Muqeem dismissed him after a 29-run stand alongside young batter Hassan Nawaz.
Muqeem struck again in the 12th over, removing Shamyl Hussain for 12, further denting Gladiators’ hopes of posting a competitive total against disciplined Zalmi bowling.
Hassan Nawaz top-scored with 37 off 35 deliveries, adding a cautious partnership with Khawaja Nafay, who contributed 20, before both fell in successive overs.
The Gladiators’ lower order offered little resistance, as Tom Curran’s 15 off 10 balls was insufficient to prevent collapse, leaving them dismissed inside 20 overs.
Muqeem finished with three wickets for 25 runs, supported by Abdul Basit’s three scalps and Iftikhar Ahmed’s single breakthrough, ensuring Zalmi dominated the bowling performance.
