PSL 2017: Peshawar Zalmi emerge champions

Peshawar Zalmi emerged champions after outplaying Quetta Gladiators by 58 runs in the final of Pakistan Super League in Lahore on Sunday. 
Cricket returned to Pakistan with a bang as Gaddafi Stadium was jam packed with game-starved fans.
It can prove a small step to bring the international cricket back to Pakistan. A full house of nearly 30,000 fans presented a rare scenario at a cricket stadium in the country after a long time. The final was witnessed by a number of ministers and dignitaries.
Peshawar got overwhelming support from crowd in Lahore. It is a great sign for Pakistan cricket and credit goes to Peshawar Zalmi owner Javed Afridi for creating such atmosphere. He pursued his foreign players to come to Pakistan which proved a game-changer.
He told Khaleej Times in the middle of the tournament that all his players will be going to Pakistan if Peshawar Zalmi reached the final and he proved himself right against all odds.
Total eight foreign players figured in the final - four each from Peshawar and Quetta.
Quetta Gladiators stuttered in their chase as they lost wickets in clusters. They were reduced to three for 13 in fifth over.
Quetta's dependable captain Sarfraz Ahmad failed in the final as he managed only 22 runs to leave his team four for 29 in 6^th over.
Wahab Riaz sent Saad Naseem back to the pavilion to make it five for 37 in eighth over. New arrival Sean Ervine from Zimbabwe ignited some hope for Quetta with a gritty knock but was undone by Mohammad Asghar.
Asghar consumed Mohammad Nawaz in the same over to leave Quetta reeling on seven for 72.
He finished his spell with the figures of three for 16.
Quetta were bowled out for 90 in 16.2 overs.
Peshawar's star player Shahid Afridi missed the final through injury but he was in the stadium to boost his teammates.    
Earlier, Peshawar Zalmi could manage only 148 runs despite a brisk start by Kamran and Malan after Sarfraz Ahmad's decision to bowl first.
Malan was cleaned up by new arrival Rayad Emrit in the fourth over to put the brakes on Peshawar. Now Marlin Samuel joined Kamran in the middle and Peshawar reached the 50 mark in 6^th over.
Kamran emerged top scorer in the tournament with 353 runs. He was on way to a big score but departed after making brisk 40.
The wicketkeeper followed by youngster Khushdil Khan who could manage only one run. In-form Mohammad Hafeez failed on big occasion to leave Peshawar in deep trouble.
Cluster of wickets put Peshawar on the back foot. Captain Darren Sammy's little cameo of 28 off 11 deliveries helped Peshawar reach 148 runs in 20 overs.
liaqat@khaleejtimes.com