Lahore Qalandars Clinch Play-off Spot Despite Quiet Return for Shakib

Shakib Al Hasan’s comeback to the Pakistan Super League was personally forgettable, but his Lahore Qalandars still marched into the play-offs after a 26-run win that eliminated Babar Azam’s Peshawar Zalmi.

Sent in on a rain-shortened night fixture of 13 overs a side, Lahore posted 149/8 despite Shakib departing first ball for a golden duck. Mirza Tahir Baig (33 off 16) and Fakhar Zaman (29 off 14) provided the bulk of the scoring, while Zalmi’s Luke Wood claimed 3-28.

Defending, rookie quick Salman Mirza ripped through Zalmi’s top order with three wickets inside the four-over Powerplay. Shakib bowled two tidy overs for 0-18; his first cost just five runs. The pivotal blow came when Sikandar Raza trapped Babar Azam for 16, and Haris Rauf struck in his first over to leave Zalmi tottering at 53-5 after seven.

Skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi then unleashed a burst of pace, removing two more in the eighth over. By the time Shakib returned and conceded 13, the chase was beyond reach. Peshawar staggered to 123/8.

The victory secures Lahore Qalandars a berth in the PSL play-offs, while Peshawar Zalmi, captained by Pakistan superstar Babar, exit the tournament.