Mohammad Ali Sets Unfortunate Record in Zalmi's PSL 10 Opener

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 opener between Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators ended on a bitter note for Mohammad Ali. The right-arm pacer, one of the standout bowlers in the previous PSL edition, found himself in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Ali’s forgettable performance against Quetta Gladiators has left him with the second-worst bowling figures in Peshawar Zalmi's PSL history.

A Disastrous Start to PSL 10

In his first appearance of the PSL 10 season, Mohammad Ali took to the field with high hopes. After finishing as the second leading wicket-taker in PSL 9 with 18 wickets, expectations were sky-high for Ali. Unfortunately, his performance in the opening match against Quetta Gladiators was disastrous.

Ali bowled four overs but was taken to the cleaners by the Gladiators' batting unit. He conceded a staggering 57 runs without picking up a single wicket. This performance has now earned him a place in the record books for the wrong reasons.

The Unwanted Record

With figures of 4-0-57-0, Mohammad Ali’s performance is now the second-worst bowling record for Peshawar Zalmi in PSL history. Only Azmatullah Omarzai’s 4-0-62-2 from PSL 8 stands worse than Ali's figures. Despite being a key player for Zalmi in previous seasons, Ali’s performance this time was underwhelming and left fans and analysts scratching their heads.

Ali's poor showing meant that Peshawar Zalmi's bowling attack was unable to restrict Quetta Gladiators to a reasonable total. In the end, Zalmi conceded a massive 216/3, which put them on the back foot right from the start.

Why Was Mohammad Ali’s Spell So Tough to Watch?

There are several reasons why Mohammad Ali’s spell in this match was so demanding to watch. First, he struggled to find any rhythm. The Quetta Gladiators' openers, Finn Allen and Saud Shakeel, played with confidence and aggressive intent from the get-go. Both openers scored brisk half-centuries, building a solid foundation for the Gladiators’ towering total.

Ali failed to break through the opening partnership, which allowed the Gladiators to gain momentum early on. This lack of breakthroughs and the continuous flow of runs made it difficult for Zalmi to exert pressure on Quetta. His inability to pick up wickets, despite bowling four overs, made his performance even more disappointing.

The Bigger Picture for Peshawar Zalmi

While Mohammad Ali’s performance is undoubtedly the headline, it's important to remember that it was just one match in a long tournament. A bad outing doesn’t define a player's career, and Ali has the experience and skill to bounce back from this setback. However, this performance highlights a deeper issue regarding Peshawar Zalmi’s bowling attack.

Zalmi's bowlers struggled to contain the Gladiators’ batsmen as a team. Ali wasn’t the only one who had a rough day. Fellow bowlers like Amad Butt, Sameen Gul, and Wahab Riaz also had lackluster performances, each conceding more than 50 runs in their allotted four overs. This suggests that Peshawar Zalmi may need to reassess their bowling strategies and figure out how to tighten their plans for the rest of the tournament.

Ali's Performance in Context

Despite the disastrous figures in this match, it’s worth noting that Mohammad Ali had been in good form during the previous PSL season. In PSL 9, Ali finished as the second leading wicket-taker for Zalmi, claiming 18 wickets. His consistency in that season helped Zalmi stay competitive in crucial matches.

This performance, however, will raise questions about his ability to perform under pressure in high-stakes games. Ali needs to focus on his strengths and work on areas he was found wanting in the PSL 10 opener, particularly his line and length.

Other Notable Poor Performances in PSL History

Mohammad Ali's figures of 4-0-57-0 are not the worst in PSL history, but they are certainly among the most expensive by a Peshawar Zalmi bowler. Afghanistan's Qais Ahmad is the worst bowling figure in PSL history. Qais leaked a massive 77 runs for two wickets in just four overs against Multan Sultans in PSL 2023.

Other notable bowlers who have had tough outings in the PSL include Usama Mir (4-0-68-0), Shahid Afridi (4-0-67-1), and Anwar Ali (4-0-66-1). These figures highlight the difficulty of bowling in T20 cricket, where even the best can have off days.

Conclusion

Mohammad Ali’s forgettable performance in Peshawar Zalmi's PSL 10 opener is one of the early talking points of the season. While his figures of 4-0-57-0 have landed him in the record books for all the wrong reasons, it is essential to remember that it is just one bad game. With the proper adjustments, Ali can quickly return to his best and help Peshawar Zalmi pursue PSL glory.

Peshawar Zalmi fans will be hoping this setback is nothing more than a blip on the radar. The team must regroup, address their bowling shortcomings, and return stronger in their next matches. Mohammad Ali has proven his worth in past seasons, and it’s only a matter of time before he bounces back.

If you enjoyed reading about Mohammad Ali’s unfortunate start to PSL 10, you might also be interested in Sahibzada Farhan's impressive achievement as he joins an elite list of T20I batters. Here is the full story: Sahibzada Farhan Joins Elite T20I Batters' List.