Pakistan Super League 2021: Shaheen Stars as Qalandars down Zalmi

Shaheen Shah Afridi’s outstanding bowling performance helped Lahore Qalandars in securing a rather comfortable four-wicket win against Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2021.

At the National Stadium in Karachi, last season’s runners-up’s captain Sohail Akhtar won the toss and elected to bowl first in the second match of the competition.

His decision proved a correct one as the 2017 champions only managed to post 140 for the loss of six wickets in their allotted 20 overs.

All-rounder Ravi Bopara was the star of the show with the bat in hand as he scored 50 off 44 balls with the help of six fours.

For Qalandars, Shaheen was the pick of the bowlers as he finished with an outstanding figures of 3-14 in his quota of four overs.

In reply, the winning side managed to chase down the target in the 19^th over at the expense of six wickets.

Veteran all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez finished the innings with the top-score of 33 not out off 26 balls with the help of five fours.

For Zalmi, captain Wahab Riaz and right-arm pacer Saqib Mahmood claimed two wickets each.

For his impressive bowling performance, Shaheen was named player-of-the-match.

So that’s it from us for the second match. Do join us for the third match.

And that’s it. Great batting from Rashid Khan to seal a comfortable win.

Another one for the right-arm pacer. Brilliant. The game is well and truly on.

OUT! Another one for Mahmood. He is turning it on and Peshawar Zalmi are back in the game.

Wiese departs without scoring.

LQ 109-6 (15.4 overs)#Cricket #PSL2021 #LQvPZ #PZvLQ

— Samaa Sports (@samaasport) February 21, 2021

Major breakthrough for Zalmi.

OUT! Saqib Mahmood gets a massive one as Samit Patel departs after scoring eight.

LQ 109-5 (15.3 overs) #Cricket #PZvLQ #LQvPZ #PSL2021

— Samaa Sports (@samaasport) February 21, 2021

OUT! Brilliant from Wahab Riaz as he dismissed dangerous Ben Dunk.

LQ 89-4 (11.4 overs)

A big wicket for Zalmi.

OUT! Amad Butt gets a big one as dangerous looking Agha Salman departs after impressive 21.

LQ 53-3 (8 overs)#Cricket #PZvLQ #LQvPZ #PSL2021

— Samaa Sports (@samaasport) February 21, 2021

Another one bites the dust. Zalmi are alive in this contest.

OUT! Shoaib Malik takes a stunner to remove Fakhar Zaman , who departs after scoring 15.

LQ 38-2 (6 overs)#Cricket #PSL2021 #LQvPZ #PZvLQ

— Samaa Sports (@samaasport) February 21, 2021

OUT! Mujeeb gets the first breakthrough as Lahore Qalandars’ captain Sohail Akhtar departs after scoring 14.

LQ 29-1 (4.2 overs)

Qalandars are off to a decent start as they have already scored 29 without losing a wicket after first four overs.

We are back for the second phase of the match.

SIX and that’s a good finish for Zalmi. They’ve managed to post 140-6 in their allotted 20 overs. Will that be enough? Only time will tell. Please join us for the second-half.

Extremely weird call from the third umpire. Wahab Riaz not given out despite Shaheen Shah Afridi’s pretty clear catch.

OUT! Another masterclass by Shaheen Shah Afridi as he removes settled Ravi Bopara.

PZ 124-6 (19 overs)

OUT! A good partnership comes to an end. Rutherford departs after scoring 26.

Peshawar Zalmi 110-5 (17 overs)

After 15 overs

Peshawar Zalmi 95-4

Finally some good overs for Zalmi in this fixture. Seems like they are back on track for at least a 150-run target.

Another big wicket for Qalandars. They are firmly on top.

OUT! Another big wicket for @lahoreqalandars as David Wiese removes in-form Shoaib Malik who departs after scoring 26.

PZ 46-4 (7.4 overs) #Cricket #PSL2021 #LQvPZ #PZvLQ

— Samaa Sports (@samaasport) February 21, 2021

At the end of the powerplay, Zalmi are 36-3.

An impressive over by the youngster.

Great over by young Salman Mirza who claimed the wickets of Kamran Akmal and Haider Ali to put Lahore Qalandars on top in their season opener against Peshawar Zalmi. #Cricket #PSL2021 #LQvPZ

— Samaa Sports (@samaasport) February 21, 2021

OUT! Another one bites the dust. Qalandars on top as Haider Ali departs without scoring.

PZ 19-3 (3.5 overs)

OUT! First PSL wicket for left-arm pacer Salman Mirza.

PZ 18-2 (3.3 overs)

A perfect start for the last season’s runners-up.

OUT! Some start by @lahoreqalandars as Shaheen Shah Afridi removes Imam-ul-Haq on the very first delivery of the match.

PZ 0-1 (0.1 over)#Cricket #PSL2021 #LQvPZ

— Samaa Sports (@samaasport) February 21, 2021

Peshawar Zalmi’s playing XI:

.@PeshawarZalmi are going in with a strong playing XI for their season opener against @lahoreqalandars #Cricket #PSL2021 #LQvPZ pic.twitter.com/Y6p7Bt1Ttl

— Samaa Sports (@samaasport) February 21, 2021

Lahore Qalandars playing XI:

Here is the playing XI of @lahoreqalandars for the match against @PeshawarZalmi #Cricket #PSL2021 #LQvPZ pic.twitter.com/K16MDH81lb

— Samaa Sports (@samaasport) February 21, 2021

TOSS: The news from the centre is Lahore Qalandars captain Sohail Akhtar has won the toss and opted to bowl first.

He was in quarantine after breaking the bio-secure bubble but the Pakistan Cricket Board has allowed him to join the squad on the match day.

Some good news for Zalmi fans as their regular captain Wahab Riaz has been allowed to participate in the match.

It’s last season’s runners-up Lahore Qalandars, who are facing Peshawar Zalmi.

Welcome to the live blog for the second match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2021 edition.