Babar Azam's Century Powers Peshawar Zalmi to Record-Breaking 255/3 Against Quetta Gladiators

KARACHI: In a breathtaking display of modern T20 power-hitting, Peshawar Zalmi skipper Babar Azam hammered a magnificent century. He led his side to a historic 255/3 against the Quetta Gladiators at the National Stadium. The total now stands as the highest-ever team score recorded in a PSL fixture at this venue, leaving the Gladiators with a mountain to climb.

From the moment the first ball was bowled, Zalmi signaled their aggressive intent. Babar Azam, often criticized for his strike rate in the past, silenced detractors with a vintage yet explosive knock of 100* off just 52 deliveries. His innings was a perfect blend of technical finesse and brute force, featuring six trademark boundaries and four towering sixes that sent the Karachi crowd into a frenzy.

The foundation of this mammoth total was a blistering 135-run partnership for the second wicket between Babar and Sri Lankan import Kusal Mendis. Mendis played the role of the aggressor early on, racing to 83 off 44 balls. He took a particular liking to the Gladiators’ spin attack, repeatedly clearing the ropes with ease before eventually falling to a sharp catch in the deep.

Despite rotating through six different options, captain Saud Shakeel struggled to find a breakthrough or stem the flow of runs. The seamers were guilty of missing their lengths, often drifting onto the pads or offering too much width, which Babar and Mendis exploited ruthlessly. The death overs proved especially expensive, as Usman Tariq (1/50) and Abrar Ahmed (1/44) provided late cameos to ensure the momentum stayed firmly with the Yellow Storm.

The fielding performance from Quetta also left much to be desired, with a couple of half-chances going begging and misfields allowing extra runs in the outfield. By the time the 20th over concluded, the body language of the Gladiators’ camp suggested a team shell-shocked by the sheer volume of runs.

As the players headed for the break, the statistics told a grim story for the bowlers. With a required run rate of 12.8 per over from the onset, Quetta faces a task that borders on the impossible. 

For Peshawar, this innings wasn’t just about the points; it was a statement of intent as the tournament reaches its business end, anchored by a captain who continues to redefine his T20 legacy.