KARACHI, Pakistan, CMC – Whirlwind knocks from captain Darren Sammy and Kieron Pollard both went in vain as Peshawar Zalmi crashed to a 10-run loss to Quetta Gladiators, in the first eliminator of the Pakistan Super League here yesterday. Chasing a challenging 187 at the National Stadium, Zalmi came up short at 176 for seven off their 20 overs, with Sammy smashing 46 off 21 deliveries and Pollard getting 44 off 25 balls.
Zalmi got a solid start when openers Imam-ul-Haq (23) and Kamran Akmal (22) put on 41 off 36 balls but five wickets tumbled for 49 runs to leave the innings in tatters at 90 for five in the 14th over.
The West Indies pair of Sammy and Pollard then mounted a thrilling comeback in an 83-run, sixth wicket stand off a mere 36 balls, which put the contest back in the balance.
Sammy, the two-time Twenty20 World Cup-winning skipper, belted two fours and five sixes while Pollard notched six fours and six.
With 21 runs required from the final over, Pollard blasted the second ball for six before going bowled the very next delivery by medium pacer Shane Watson.
And Sammy followed off the fourth ball, run out attempting to get on strike after Wahab Riaz failed to connect.
Earlier, Watson was the hero for Quetta with 71 off 43 deliveries as they gathered 186 for six after being sent in.
The Australian pummelled five fours and half-dozen sixes, putting on 111 for the second wicket with Ashan Ali (46) after Gladiators found themselves on three for one in the second over.
Former Windies star Dwayne Bravo made 12 not out and went wicketless with his medium pace in Zalmi’s run chase.
Sammy and Pollard will have a second shot at the final when Zalmi play the winner of today’s second eliminator between Islamabad United and Karachi Kings, tomorrow.
