Peshawar Zalmi sink hapless Lahore

Dubai - With Gayle, Umar Akmal, Azhar Ali and Dwayne Bravo in their ranks Lahore managed to score only 117 for six after sent into bat first by Shahid Afridi

All predictions went wrong as Gayle storm is yet to hit Dubai leaving Lahore Qalandars in deep trouble. The West Indian star has failed to fire in first two matches much to the dismay of the fans.
Lahore suffered the second successive defeat in Pakistan Super League and their chance in tournament look bleak after so much hype prior to the start of the tournament.
With Gayle, Umar Akmal, Azhar Ali and Dwayne Bravo in their ranks Lahore managed to score only 117 for six after sent into bat first by Shahid Afridi. It was never going to be a challenge for Peshawar Zalmi and Tamim Iqbal (55 not out) and Mohammed Hafeez (43) set up a nine-wicket victory.
Peshawar set the tone right from the first ball as Junaid Khan rattled Gayle's stumps with a beautiful inswinger. Two deliveries later, Cameron Delport was run out for a duck as he failed to ground his bat and Shahid Yousuf had direct hit.
Umar Akmal and captain Azhar Ali tried to revive the innings by putting on 42 runs for the fourth wicket. Akmal also departed after scoring 21 runs followed by Azhar (31). Both the wickets went to Mohammed Asghar, the hero of Peshawar Zalmi against Islamabad United the other night.
Afridi, the captain, finished with 0 for 18 from his four overs.
Bravo's late assault helped Lahore reach 117 for six in 20 overs. The West Indian scored 31 of 30 balls and was caught behind off the bowling of Wahab Riaz in the 19^th over.
Lahore innings never took off as wickets kept falling in regular intervals. Peshawar have one of the best bowling attacks of the PSL teams which includes Shaun Tait, Wahab Riaz, Junaid, Afridi and new sensation Mohammed Asghar.
A required rate less than run-a-ball in the chase was never going to be a problem and as Peshawar's in-form openers Tamim and Hafeez put on 95 runs.
Azhar while talking to the media after the match said: "There is still time to make a comeback in the tournament. We have got a quality side and we are trying our best to stem the rot.
"The boys are not performing according to their abilities. We have performed poorly in all three fields (batting, bowling and fielding).
"But I hope bad times is over we will start winning the game in the PSL."
liaqat@khaleejtimes.com