Top two teams from the group stage; Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi met in the first Qualifier of the HBLPSL-4, with both the teams looking for the win to get a direct spot in the final. Peshawar brought in Misbah in place of Umar Amin for the all-important game.
Peshawar opted to bowl first with Gladiators began the innings with Watson and Shehzad. Mills provided an early breakthrough for Peshawar, when he knocked over Shehzad for 1. Inform Watson was joined by Ahsan Ali and both took the charge to the Zalmi bowlers straightaway by striking boundaries and huge sixes. The pair went on to put 110 runs stand for the 2nd wicket, as Watson was undone Wahab Riaz for a scintillating 71 runs knock. Sameen Gul got the better of Ahsan Ali for 46, as the quick wickets halted Quetta’s progress for the big score. Russouw made 11 and Umar Akmal added a quick fire 22. But Zalmis decent bowling in the last part of the play, leaked only 45 runs in the last 6 overs to restrict Quetta at 186/6. Wahab Riaz picked up 26/2, while Tymal Mills got 21/1 in his 4 overs.
Chasing 187 for the direct spot in the final, Kamran Akmal and Imam begin the innings for Peshawar. The pair provided steady stand for Peshawar by putting 41 runs in 6 overs. Husnain got the better of Kamran for 22. Sohaib Maqsood could only manage 7, as Nawaz caught him off his own bowling with Peshawar reeling at 55-2 in 9th over. Misbah joined Imam and they couldn’t protect Peshawar from destruction, as Imam was bowled off Rossouw for 23. Part-timer Ahsan Ali, was brought into the attack and he provided another breakthrough when he had Dawson caught for 5. Misbah smoked few boundaries before getting leg before off Husnain for 18. Pollard and Sammy rebuilt for Zalmi by striking 22 runs off Bravo’s over, with Peshawar needing 58 off last 4 overs. The pair brought up half century stand in just 3 overs. With 20 required in the last over, Watson knocked out Pollard for 44, to seal the win for Quetta by 11 runs, as they reached the final. Husnain picked up 28-2, while Nawaz got 25-1.
Watson powers Quetta to the Final.
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