Peshawar Zalmi secure PSL 11 playoff place after Quetta Gladiators beat Lahore Qalandars

KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi have officially booked their place in the playoffs of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 after Quetta Gladiators defeated Lahore Qalandars by six wickets at the National Bank Stadium.

The 2017 champions are currently leading the eight-team points table with 13 points from seven matches. Their place in the top four was confirmed after the result earlier in the day ensured that the side placed fourth at the end of the league phase can no longer overtake Zalmi’s tally.

Peshawar Zalmi began their PSL 11 campaign with a five-wicket win over debutants Rawalpindiz in a high-scoring contest. Their next fixture, against Islamabad United in Lahore, was abandoned because of rain.

After that, Zalmi put together a string of victories, beating Hyderabad Kingsmen, Karachi Kings, defending champions Lahore Qalandars, Multan Sultans and Quetta Gladiators to strengthen their hold on first place in the standings.

Despite sealing qualification, Zalmi still have three league-stage matches left to play. Their next game is against Quetta Gladiators at the same Karachi venue on Sunday. They will then return to Lahore for matches against Karachi Kings on April 22 and Lahore Qalandars on April 25.

While Zalmi have already secured a playoff berth, the race for the remaining places is still open. All seven other teams remain in contention for qualification.

Islamabad United, who have won the title three times, are placed second on the PSL 11 table with nine points from seven matches. Multan Sultans, the 2021 champions, are close behind in third place with eight points and have played one match fewer.

Peshawar Zalmi squad for PSL 11

Peshawar Zalmi’s squad for the tournament comprises Babar Azam (c), Sufiyan Muqeem, Abdul Samad, Ali Raza, Aaron Hardie, Aamir Jamal, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Haris, Khalid Usman, Abdul Subhan, Tanzid Hasan, Michael Bracewell, Kusal Mendis, Iftikhar Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Kashif Ali, Shahnawaz Dahani, Farhan Yousuf, Brian Bennett, Mohammad Basit and Shoriful Islam.

Zalmi’s unbeaten run has put them in a strong position heading into the final stretch of the league phase, with their top-four finish now mathematically assured. The remaining fixtures will determine whether they stay at the summit and how the rest of the playoff lineup takes shape.