The mantra has been win-toss, win-match so far at HBL PSL 6. Eight out eight times, the team batting second have come out victorious as Zalmi edge Gladiators in a thrilling contest at National Stadium Karachi.
After putting Gladiators into bat first, Mohammad Imran provided the early breakthrough by getting rid of Cameron Delport for just 2. His opening partner, Saim Ayub looked good but his stay was ended prematurely as he was run out for 21.
Faf du Plessis was playing his first match of the season and he was joined by the skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed when the men in purple were 48/2. Sarfaraz took the attack to the bowlers straightaway as he looked in a completely different mode.
A handy 40-run partnership between the two seasoned players took Quetta to 100 before du Plessis (37) went for a big heave towards the off side only to find Mujeeb at deep cover boundary.
However, the former captain of Pakistan carried on and found boundaries at will. He was joined by Azam Khan who had a quiet tournament so far.
He announced his arrival by depositing Wahab Riaz out of the ground for a gigantic six.
Sarfaraz hit 12 boundaries and one six in his outstandingly paced innings of 81 off 40 balls.
Azam struck 47 off just 26 deliveries, including two sixes and six boundaries.
Gladiators were looking good for a score over 200 but Saqib Mahmood's three wickets in the final over restricted Sarfaraz-led side to 198-7.
In a total nearing 200, Mohammad Imran showed his potential, returning with figures of 1-25 in his four overs and ended up as the most economical bowler from Zalmi.
In reply, Purple army were all over the Yellow storm as Kamran Akmal & Kohler-Cadmore went early but Haider Ali showed why he is rated so highly, continuing from where he left off the other night against Sultans.
A timely 29-ball 50 from the stylish right-hander kept Peshawar in the game while he was given a solid support from the other end by Shoaib Malik.
When Malik got out after scoring 34 off 20, ut seemed Gladiators will edge their counterparts but Rutherford's impact innings along with Wahab's 8-ball 20, which included 2 massive sixes off Dale Steyn in the 19th over sealed the deal for Zalmi as they edged a close game by 3 wickets.