Peshawar Zalmi secure playoff spot in PSL 11

KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi have officially qualified for the playoffs of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11, becoming the first team to seal a top-four finish in the ongoing season.

Zalmi, the 2017 champions, confirmed their place after Quetta Gladiators registered a six-wicket victory over Lahore Qalandars at National Bank Stadium on Thursday.

With 13 points from seven matches, Zalmi’s position at the top of the standings can no longer be overtaken by the fourth-placed team by the end of the league stage.

Zalmi began their campaign with a five-wicket win over Rawalpindiz, while their second match against Islamabad United was washed out due to rain.

They then went on a dominant run, defeating Hyderabad Kingsmen, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Multan Sultans and Quetta Gladiators to consolidate their lead.

Zalmi will next face the Gladiators again on Sunday at the same venue before travelling to Lahore for matches against the Kings and Qalandars on April 22 and 25, respectively.

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Despite Zalmi securing qualification, the race for the remaining playoff spots remains wide open, with all other seven teams still in contention.

Islamabad United are currently second with nine points from seven matches, followed by Multan Sultans, who have eight points with a game in hand.

Squad: Babar Azam (captain), Sufiyan Muqeem, Abdul Samad, Ali Raza, Aaron Hardie, Aamir Jamal, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Haris, Khalid Usman, Abdul Subhan, Tanzid Hasan, Michael Bracewell, Kusal Mendis, Iftikhar Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Kashif Ali, Shahnawaz Dahani, Farhan Yousuf, Brian Bennett, Mohammad Basit and Shoriful Islam.