DUBAI: Lahore Qalan­dars failed to make it to playoff stage of the HBL Pakistan Super League for its third straight season after Quetta Gladiators defeated defending champions Peshawar Zalmi by six wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday night.

Lahore, who finally won their first match on Friday against Multan Sultans, cannot get into the top-four category even if they win their remaining three fixtures. As it stands now, Quetta have surged to the top on the back of superior net run-rate while levelling on 10 points with Islamabad United.

On the other hand, Peshawar can’t afford to lose their remaining two games as Quetta made light work of the 158-run chase in 19.2 overs.

Sarfraz Ahmed led from the front with an excellent 45 from 31 balls as the Pakistan captain shifted gears in the unbroken partnership of 74 in 46 deliveries with Rilee Rossouw (30 off 27 balls) after man-of-the-match Shane Watson had struck a 21-ball 37 (six fours and one six).

Earlier Peshawar, put into bat, were kept in check until they got aggression at the backend thanks to Darren Sammy (36 off 19 balls, four fours and two sixes) and with solid help coming from Rikki Wessels (31 after both got together at 101-5 midway through the 15th over.

Dwayne Smith set the pace early on by striking five sixes and one four in a breezy 33-ball contribution of 49.

Scores in brief:

PESHAWAR ZALMI 157-5 in 20 overs (D.R. Smith 49, D.J.G. Sammy 36 not out, Mohammad Hafeez 31, M.H. Wessels 31 not out; S.R. Watson 2-26); QUETTA GLADIATORS 158-4 in 19.2 overs (Sarfraz Ahmed 45 not out, S.R. Watson 37, R.R. Rossouw 30 not out, K.P. Pietersen 21).

Published in Dawn, March 11th, 2018