The thrilling action of the Pakistan Super League continues in full swing during PSL X, and one of the tournament’s fiercest rivalries is about to take center stage as Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators, two of the league’s most popular and passionately supported teams, lock horns in what promises to be an exciting contest.
Led by two of Pakistan’s most recognizable cricketing names — Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel — both teams will be eager to make an early statement in their respective PSL campaigns.
Peshawar Zalmi, under the leadership of Babar Azam, will be keen to shake off their tag of nearly-men and launch another serious title bid this year. With a batting lineup loaded with flair — featuring Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, and Mitchell Owen — Zalmi have the firepower to take down any bowling attack on their day.
Their bowling attack seems a little thin, but the addition of fast bowler Ihsanullah — who was picked as a supplementary player — adds extra pace to a squad already featuring seasoned players like Luke Wood and Mohammad Ali, while their spinners remain as potent as ever.
But all eyes will inevitably be on Babar himself, who will be determined to lead from the front and get Zalmi’s season off to a flying start.
Quetta Gladiators, now being led by Saud Shakeel, will be looking to turn a new page after a few underwhelming PSL campaigns. Their recruitment has been sharp, and the presence of Rilee Rossouw, Akeal Hosein, and Finn Allen should only help their cause.
What makes Quetta dangerous is their blend of power-hitting and bowling variety — with Abrar Ahmed’s mystery spin and Mohammad Amir’s new-ball craft expected to play key roles.
The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium has become synonymous with run-fests in recent PSL editions. With short boundaries and a batting-friendly surface, expect another high-scoring affair.
But, Pindi pitch offered something different in the opening game of PSL X between Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars. The sluggish two-paced wicket made it difficult for the batters to score heavily and brought the bowlers into the games.
It will be interesting to see which type of pitch will be used in today’s El Clasico.
Whenever Zalmi and Gladiators meet, the stakes feel higher. The two sides have clashed 24 times in PSL history, with Peshawar edging the battle with 13 wins compared to Quetta’s 10, with one contest ending without a result. This rivalry has seen last-ball thrillers, blistering centuries, and unforgettable bowling spells — and PSL X could well add another chapter to that history.
| Total Matches | Zalmi Wins | Gladiators Wins |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | 13 | 10 |
Their most recent encounter in PSL 2024 saw Zalmi easily getting past Quetta, and Saud Shakeel’s men will be eager to even the scores when the two sides meet.
Peshawar Zalmi XI
| Babar Azam (c) | Local |
| Saim Ayub | Local |
| Mohammad Haris (e) | Local |
| Hussain Talat | Local |
| Tom Kohler-Cadmore | Foreign |
| Max Bryant | Foreign |
| Abdul Samad | Local |
| Luke Wood | Foreign |
| Alzarri Joseph | Foreign |
| Sufyan Muqeem | Local |
| Ali Raza (e) | Local |
Quetta Gladiators XI
| Player | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Saud Shakeel | Captain | Local |
| Finn Allen | Player | Foreign |
| Hassan Nawaz (e) | Player | Local |
| Rilee Rossouw | Player | Foreign |
| Haseebullah (wk) | Wicketkeeper | Local |
| Faheem Ashraf | Player | Local |
| Kyle Jamieson | Player | Foreign |
| Akeal Hosein | Player | Foreign |
| Wasim Jr | Player | Local |
| Mohammad Amir | Player | Local |
| Abrar Ahmed | Player | Local |
Match Details
Fixture: Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Gladiators
Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
Date & Time: Saturday, April 12, 2025 — 3:30 PM PKT
With two star-studded squads, an electric atmosphere expected at Rawalpindi, and a history of producing gripping contests, this clash between Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators could be another one for the ages. Who will come out on top? We can hardly wait to find out.
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