Rawalpindi: The classy 54-run knock, off 27 deliveries by Shoaib Malik, placed his team, Peshawar Zalmi at 170/6 in the allotted 15 overs when Quetta Gladiators asked them to bat in the curtailed match due to rain affected outfield here on Thursday.
The veteran right-hander stroked eighth fours and a six and formed a couple of good partnerships – one with Haider Ali of 54 and the other with Liam Livingston of 41 runs.
Haider Ali (39 off 24), Kamran Akmal (23 off 12), Gregory (19 off 8) and Livingston (12 off 7) were the other contributors.
Nasim Shah’s injury after just two overs hurt Quetta’s cause but Mohammad Hasnain topped the bowling chart with 4 for 34 in his three overs.
It was a tough ask however Quetta openers Shane Watson and Jason Roy began with authority to give their side a hope. Watson (19) was dismissed by Hasan Ali in the 5th over to spread panic amongst Gladiators. Ahmad Shahzad, at number three, looked out of sorts and got out cheaply after the dangerous looking Roy (45 off 26).
Zalmi’s bowlers did not let the opposition off the mat, limiting them to 140/7.
Captain Wahab Riaz was impressive with 3-21, Rahat Ali bagged 2 for 34 in his three overs.
Shoaib Malik was declared man of the match.
With the 30-run triumph, Peshawar Zalmi, with seven points after seven games, have jumped to the third spot on the points table behind Multan Sultans and Islamabad United while after seven encounters Quetta Gladiators are at the 5th position with six points, only above Lahore Qalandars.