Quetta Gladiators, Peshawar Zalmi clash in most-awaited ‘Clásico’ qualifier

Quetta Gladiators, Peshawar Zalmi clash in most-awaited ‘Clásico’ qualifier KARACHI: It’s that match we all wait for like no other. The 'El Clásico’ of Pakistan Super League. The clash that is guaranteed to test nerves. It’s Quetta Gladiators vs Peshawar Zalmi today, and one of them is going straight into the final of the tournament on Sunday, March 17. But it won’t be all over for the losing side – there will be another chance to make it to the final when the loser of today’s Qualifier plays against the winner of tomorrow’s Eliminator 1 on Friday. But Quetta vs Peshawar matches are always more than just winning or losing. It’s a battle of strengths, weaknesses and egos. The two nemesis have faced off multiples times in the playoffs, and each match has been nothing less than a thriller. Here’s a quick look: PSL 2016 Qualifier Quetta Gladiators beat Peshawar Zalmi by one run to reach the final, where Islamabad United beat Sarfraz Ahmed XI to lift the inaugural trophy. PSL 2017 Qualifier and Final Quetta Gladiators beat Peshawar Zalmi by one run (again!) to secure a spot in the final. Peshawar Zalmi beat Karachi Kings in the second eliminator to reach the final, where they defeated their archrivals Quetta Gladiators by 24 runs to deny them yet another chance at the trophy. This was Quetta Gladiators' second consecutive defeat in a PSL final. PSL 2018 Eliminator Last year again, the arch-rivals faced off in the do-or-die Eliminator 1 in Lahore, where Peshawar Zalmi again beat Quetta Gladiators by, you guessed it, one run! With the defeat, Quetta were eliminated from the tournament and Peshawar were beaten by Islamabad in the final. Quetta and Peshawar will be raring to go in action against each other again today, and rest assured, it is all set to be another thriller. Batsmen to look out for Quetta Gladiators’ biggest star attraction is Shane Watson, who is also this tournament’s highest scorer so far with 352 runs at an insane strike rate of 140.80. Ahmed Shehzad looks in formidable form too, especially after his 99 against Karachi Kings on Sunday. Umar Akmal cannot be underestimated either – he is his team’s second-highest scorer with 255 runs. #GEOSUPER #PSl4