PSL 2025: What Went Wrong for Peshawar Zalmi Against Lahore Qalandars

Peshawar Zalmi commenced the chase like a team that believed in the chase as they had only a moderate 150 runs to achieve in as many as 13 overs; in terms of the run rate, the equation was less steep and much more possible. The outfield at Rawalpindi was quick, the ball was zipping off the bat, and Zalmi’s top order, on any day, has the firepower to blitz through any opposition’s bowling line-up. However, in cricket, especially the PSL, there are fewer “ifs” and far more “oh-no-they-didn’t”- and Zalmi certainly gave us a reel of exactly that. What appeared to be able to chase a score became a crash course in how not to bat under pressure.

A Top-Order Collapse That Could’ve Been Scripted by Shakespeare

The collapse began quickly, and the initial reason is easy to explain: a devastating top-order collapse. After 3.6 overs, Zalmi were 35 for 3 – and when we say 35, you know the type of 35 where you’re building nicely, not the 35 where your wickets are tumbling like Snapchat streaks. Saim Ayub took self-destruction to the ‘P!’ level, bowled by his stumps by a napkin back-foot shuffle. Haris continued his PSL legacy of looking busy before poor, and Max Bryant came in, missed everything, and walked out. That was three wickets gone for Salman Mirza before the crowd had even finished their popcorn. Just when Babar Azam looked set to bring order to the chaos, he played a shot that undid all the repair work. 

Salman Mirza’s Spell Wasn’t a Bowling Effort—It Was a Heist

Then came the second major turning point, the show stealer, the man who wore the cape under his Qalandars jersey – Salman Mirza. In a match that fit in just 13 overs per side, you don’t “have a good spell” – you either dominate or you disappear; Salman took the dominating route. While his 4 for 31 might not sound cheap, in the context of where and when those wickets appeared, it was worth its weight in gold. He wasn’t just a partnership-breaker — he shattered Zalmi’s rhythm and stripped them of their purpose. There was Saim’s bizarre dismissal, Haris’s chop-on, Bryant’s golden duck, and then the dagger – cleaning up Daniyal when Zalmi were just trying to breathe. And every time Zalmi looked to flick the switch, Salman was there to pull the plug. 

Too Many Stars, Not Enough Support Cast

Finally, let’s not forget about the unassuming killer, which was the overreliance on names and finishing touches. When Babar Hayat was out, it was even more obvious that Zalmi were leaning on some names to do the heavy lifting. Ali was learning how to play, Ahmed Daniyal producing some late fireworks, and Sams was slogging – but they were all short. There was no process, there were no second gears, and no finishing stages to tackle the chase. On the other hand, Qalandars had batting contributions up and down (including some late hitting from Asif Ali and Shaheen) while Zalmi were wishing for something heroic. The PSL rewards hustle and not hope. 

The scorecard tells the story. 123 for 8 in 13 Overs and a 20-run defeat that felt much worse. Zalmi had every ingredient to win, but lost their recipe. The game hovered on a knife-edge until Salman Mirza’s spell ripped the opposition open. From there, Lahore Qalandars took their time in doubt and jumped into victory on a tidal wave of big hits and intended killing blows.. For Peshawar, go back to the provider, and this provider will require glue to hold this top order together.

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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