Rawalpindi, April 12, 2025 – Quetta Gladiators unleashed a batting masterclass to kick off their HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) X campaign, posting a colossal 216-3 against Peshawar Zalmi at a buzzing Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday. The scintillating display, led by captain Saud Shakeel and debutant Finn Allen, set an intimidating tone for the tournament’s second match, leaving Zalmi’s bowlers reeling under an onslaught of boundaries and sixes.
Electing to bat first, Quetta’s openers wasted no time asserting dominance. Shakeel, leading from the front, and New Zealand’s Allen tore into Zalmi’s attack with fearless strokeplay, amassing 67 runs in the six-over powerplay. Allen, making his PSL debut, was particularly destructive, smashing 23 runs off Sufiyan Muqeem’s seventh over to race to a 25-ball fifty. The left-arm spinner, however, had the last laugh, dismissing Allen for a blazing 53, breaking an 88-run stand that had Zalmi on the ropes.
Shakeel, undeterred, anchored the innings with elegance, finding an able partner in Hasan Nawaz. The duo added 63 runs for the second wicket, with Shakeel notching his third PSL half-century off 35 balls. Just as Quetta seemed poised to bat Zalmi out of the game, young seamer Ali Raza struck, removing Shakeel for 59 in the 16th over, leaving the score at 151-2. Nawaz followed shortly after, falling to Alzarri Joseph for a well-made 41, as Quetta slipped to 158-3.
Enter Rilee Rossouw and Kusal Mendis, who ensured no momentum was lost. Mendis, in particular, was a revelation, hammering 35 runs off just 14 balls, including a flurry of boundaries that electrified the Rawalpindi crowd. Rossouw, unbeaten on 21 off 10, complemented Mendis’ aggression, guiding Quetta to one of their highest PSL totals ever. Zalmi’s bowlers, despite wickets from Muqeem, Joseph, and Raza, struggled to contain the run-flow, leaking runs at an alarming rate.
The match, marking both teams’ PSL X debuts, comes on the heels of a blockbuster opening day where defending champions Islamabad United cruised past Lahore Qalandars by eight wickets. United’s effortless 140 chase, led by Farhan-Munro’s 55-run partnership, sets a thrilling tournament benchmark.
This year’s PSL, running from April 11 to May 18, holds extra weight following the successful Champions Trophy, which showcased Pakistan’s vibrant cricketing culture to the world. Rawalpindi’s electric vibe and Quetta’s fiery kickoff ignite a thrilling new chapter in PSL’s epic saga. #PSL2025Zalmi, now tasked with chasing 217, face a steep challenge against Quetta’s bowling attack, but in T20 cricket, no total is ever truly safe. Fans are in for a gripping contest as the tournament gathers steam.
Word count: 500
