Lahore Qalandars vs Peshawar Zalmi, 38th Match, Pakistan Super League 2026 - CommentaryLHQ vs PSZ, 38th Match, Pakistan Super League 2026 - Commentary

That's it from our side. The Qalandars have bolstered their chances of securing the only remaining playoff spot with today's win. They have a superior net run-rate to Hyderabad Kingsmen. The Kingsmen have to not only win their final league game tomorrow but also ensure that they win it empathically to pip Qalandars on NRR to secure the fourth playoff spot. Peshawar Zalmi, meanwhile, have lost their first game of the season. It isn't that bad a thing because it will probably make them focus harder when they take on their opposition in the Qualifier. We hope you enjoyed our coverage. Join us tomorrow for another double-header. Until next time, goodbye and cheers!

Shaheen Afridi | Lahore Qalandars captain: It was a team effort, everyone gave their best, credit goes to Fakhar, Sams and to everyone actually. (On the decision to chase turning out to be the right one) We didn't chase in 5-6 games and we had also played an extra batter tonight so the thinking was they even if they score 190-200, we can chase it down easily. (On their plans if they qualify for the playoffs) I feel that we are struggling a bit in our death bowling, we will try to work on it and improve there. We have 2-3 days in our hands and hopefully, we will play better in the playoffs.

Babar Azam | Peshawar Zalmi captain: Sometimes you need to get a wake-up call like this and you have to accept it because we didn't execute our plans well in bowling and fielding. When we started batting, the pitch was a little two-paced. We wanted to take our time and build partnerships and in the end, we wanted our power-hitters to execute and we managed to do that. We almost scored 200. We didn't bowl well tonight but you have to face these things at times and you learn from these experiences. (On handling Ali Raza) I have to keep patience. Sometimes, when as a youngster and as a fast bowler you go for runs you tend to go off-track a bit and not understand how to execute things but as captain, I try to give that player confidence. Whenever a bowler gets hit, my job is to give him confidence and remind him about how they executed in practice and in the earlier games. (On moving back to Karachi to play the Qualifier) The conditions will be different there. We have won six games there and the conditions will suit us but the main thing is we are going there after a break so we will have to assess the conditions and adapt accordingly. (On whether the pressure of playoffs is different) When you overthink about these things, the pressure tends to get to you. We will try to take it one match at a time.

Fakhar Zaman | Player of the Match: We also played our last match on this wicket and it was also the second match on this wicket today so we knew that the wicket would support the bowlers a bit. They also batted very well but we knew that if we survive the new ball, we will have a good chance and that's exactly what happened. (On whether anchoring the innings was his plan) Yes, it was that way. Sikandar told me that you have to play till the end and I will try to play my shots. When Sams came, the planning was the same. I was also trying to hit shots but it's obvious that when it's your day and when you have luck on your side, things tend to go your way.

22:59 Local Time, 17:59 GMT, 23:29 IST: Qalandars have held their nerves in a must-win encounter - they have knocked Karachi Kings out of the tournament with this victory. Zalmi put up a strong total on the board courtesy a fifty from Babar, a cameo from Iftikhar lower down the order and a blazing knock from Bracewell. In response, Fakhar was struggling to time the new ball and Naeem also fell early. But, the last two overs of the powerplay yielded 36 runs and that gave some good momentum to the hosts. Shafique fell after playing a breezy cameo. But, Fakhar and Asalanka got together and they kept the scoreboard ticking. It wasn't a free-flowing knock from Fakhar but he managed to hit some boundaries and didn't give his wicket away. Asalanka fell against the run of play. The real impact came from Raza who played a blinder of a cameo to drive home the advantage. Unfortunately, he got hit wicket but he did his job. Sams also was in his elements as he kept finding the boundaries at will from the word-go and powered his side to the finish line with a 15-ball 35-run cameo. Zalmi weren't at their best with the ball tonight and paid the price for it. Stick around for the presentations...