Peshawar and Quetta record wins

Peshawar Zalmi registered their first win in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) yesterday as they defeated Islamabad United by 34 runs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Islamabad skipper Rumman Raees, standing in for the injured Musbah-ul-Haq, won the toss and elected to bowl first. Put in to bat first, opener Kamran Akmal gave Zalmi a flying start with his quick-fire 53 off 32 deliveries.
Akmal was well assisted by Bangladesh cricketer Tamim Iqbal who made 39 off 29 balls. Islamabad bowlers then struck to pullback things a little but useful contributions from Dwayne Smith and Mohamed Hafeez, who both made 30, helped them to make 176/6 in 20 overs.
Medium pacer Faheem Ashraf emerged as Islamabad’s best bowler as he returned figures of 2/37 from four overs.
In reply, Islamabad batters just failed to put up any kind of resistance as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals.
The innings biggest partnership of 38 runs for the ninth wicket came a little too late as a valiant 30-ball 54 from Ashraf went in vain. Zalmi’s star with the ball was debutant Umaid Asif, who picked the first four wickets with the score at 25, and made early in-roads. Islamabad could never recover after losing early wickets as they were restricted for 142/9 in 20 overs.
Pacer Asif was awarded the player of the match award for his lethal bowling performance.
Meanwhile, Quetta Gladiators defeated Lahore Qalandars by nine wickets and six overs to spare.
Qalandars struggled to post a formidable total as they lost wickets at regular intervals and made 119 for 9 with Brendon McCullum top-scoring with 30.
A 66-run knock by Shane Watson and four overs of Jofra Archer with figures of 3/23 helped Gladiators reach the winning target of 120 runs with nine wickets to spare.
Asad Shafiq scored 38 from 36 balls to contribute from his side. Qalandars  bowlers were unable to make breakthroughs. Narine was the only bowler to take wicket.
Mohamed Nawaz took two wickets including that of McCullum who got out on 30 off 18. Archer took three wickets in his four overs.