Three Bangladesh pacers produced impressive performances in the Pakistan Super League on Saturday, though they ended up on opposite sides of the result as Peshawar Zalmi thrashed Lahore Qalandars by 76 runs in Karachi. Nahid Rana and Shoriful Islam starred for the winning side while Mustafizur Rahman put in a controlled effort in a losing cause for Lahore.
Nahid and Shoriful help Peshawar dismantle Lahore
Shoriful struck early, removing Mohammad Naim in the second over as the opener was caught at mid-off attempting to play over the covers. Nahid, introduced in the sixth over fresh from a three-wicket haul in the previous match, removed Abdullah Shafique at cover before returning in the 13th over to take his second wicket, with Usama Mir caught brilliantly by Kusal Mendis behind the stumps.
Nahid finished with two wickets for 15 runs from three overs while Shoriful claimed one for 17 from two, their combined efforts helping bundle Lahore out for just 97 in reply to Peshawar’s 173 for 7. Babar Azam had anchored the Peshawar innings with a composed 43 before Mendis took the game away with a devastating 74 off 48 balls, striking five fours and four sixes to set up a daunting target. New Zealand’s Michael Bracewell was the pick of Peshawar’s bowlers with three for 18, while Sufiyan Muqeem also took three for 21. Mendis, whose batting had set the platform for victory, was named man of the match.
Mustafizur impresses but ends on losing side
Mustafizur delivered a measured four-over spell of two for 30 for Lahore, bowling with discipline throughout his early overs before his 15th over was interrupted by a Mendis scoop six over fine leg. He recovered composure well in the 19th over, dismissing the dangerous Bracewell with a caught at long-on before removing Abdur Jamal off the final ball with a clever slower bouncer that the batsman could only chip to the fielder at the boundary.
The veteran pacer now has six wickets from five PSL matches this season, a consistent return that underlines his value despite Lahore’s struggles as a team. Despite his efforts and Shaheen Shah Afridi’s three for 22, Lahore’s batting let them down badly on the night, collapsing well short of their target in what was a comprehensive defeat.
