Asif Baloch’s last-over brilliance seals PCL-11 Title for PZ

(Report by Ghulam Farid)
Asif Baloch produced an incredible performance for the Peshawar Zalmi in the final game of SD-PCL11 against Quetta Gladiator on Saturday morning, 15th February. He smashed five successive sixes when his side needed 29 to win off the last six balls. Veteran Muhammad Qasim was at the receiving end of an exhibition in power-hitting from Asif, as Zalmi registered an unbelievable victory over the defending champions.
At one stage in the game, Asif was batting on 5 off 14 deliveries. His onslaught began in the 20th over with 29 runs needed to win. Taking advantage of the wind, Asif launched all his sixes through long on, long off, and straight over the bowler’s head. Despite Muhammad Qasim using all his experience—changing bowling lines, lengths, angles, and adjusting field placements—nothing worked.
The third six followed a long discussion between the bowler, QG skipper Asghar Nadeem, and wicketkeeper Gulshan Ali. However, Asif remained undeterred, continuing his assault to deliver a stunning innings and a thrilling title win for Zalmi.
Earlier, PZ won the toss and put QG into bat first, restricting them to a modest total of 174. Saqlain Baloch delivered a magical performance in the final overs but was run out on 48 off just 24 deliveries, hitting three fours and five sixes. Shehzad Ali, Shahid Abbas, and Irfan Rasheed claimed two wickets each for Zalmi.
Quetta Gladiators were dominant until the 19th over, thanks to magical bowling spells from Junaid Khan and Gulshan Ali. Though Muhammad Khalid and Rana Asif contributed well, the QG pacers kept PZ’s big hitters in check—until Asif Baloch guided his team home.
The SS PCL-11 post-final match and prize distribution ceremony was held in the ballroom of Al-Waha Club, attended by notable guests. FM-107’s famous RJ, Mr. Ubaid Tahir; Mr. Usama Idrees (Community Welfare Attaché at the Pakistan Embassy); Mr. Chaudhry Muhammad Afzal (Principal, Pakistan International School Qatar); Mr. Rashid Latif; Mr. Rana Shakeel Anjum; Mr. Moeen Khan; Mr. Iqbal Butt; Mrs. Mala Waseem; and Mrs. Shehla Khan, along with other community leaders, graced the event.
List of Award Winners:
• Mr. Mohsin Ali: Brand Ambassador of SD PCL-11
• Members of Event Technical Committee: Mr. Syed Nasooh Akhter, Mr. Taimoor Abbas, Mr. Aqeel Rasheed, Mr. Ghulam Farid
• Team Captains: Captain SD-PZ (Rana Muhammad Atif), Captain SD-QG (Asghar Nadeem), Captain SD-LQ (Shahid Nadeem), Captain SD-IU (Ahmad Hassan), Captain SD-KK (Ghulam Farid), Captain SD-MS (Imtiaz Hussain)
• Man of the Match Final: Asif Baloch
• Best Batter of the Tournament: Asif Baloch
• Best Bowler of the Tournament: Muhammad Aqeel Rasheed
• Best All-rounder of the Tournament: Zafar Baloch
• Most Colorful Knock of the Tournament: Imtiaz Hussain
• Emerging Player of the Tournament: Kazim Ali
• Sportsman Spirit Team Award: SD-LQ
• Best Supportive Volunteers: Imran Dilawar, Talha Dilawar, Ahmad Dilawar, Awais Dilwar
• Best Commentator: Jawad Akbar
• Most Dedicated Player Award: Two players nominated from each team by respective captains
All the distinguished guests expressed their happiness at being among the cricket fraternity in Al-Khor Community. They congratulated all award winners, runners-up, and the victorious team, while also acknowledging the organizers for conducting such a healthy, competitive event, which saw the participation of over 120 players.
Anwar Ali Rana, Chairman of Sohni Dharti, thanked all the chief guests, technical committee members, captains, players, volunteers, the SD Executive Committee, and especially Sports Secretary Mr. Zafar Chandio for successfully completing a four-month-long tournament that attracted a huge audience. Mr. Rana also thanked Naseem Hospital for providing first aid during the matches and gift hampers for the winning and runner-up teams.
The post-match ceremony ended with the presentation of beautiful trophies to the captains and concluded with refreshments and patriotic chants of “Pakistan Zindabad.”