Pakistan Super League (PSL) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Salman Naseer has warded off the evil eye for Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam in a clip that spread quickly across social media after Zalmi's win over Quetta Gladiators last night.

 

The clip showed a warm and humorous interaction during a recent public appearance involving key figures of the league.

 

On the field, Babar's form gives plenty of reason for such gestures. He recently became the fastest player to reach 12,000 runs in T20 cricket, the only batter in PSL history to cross 4,000 runs, and the fourth batter overall to register 100 half-centuries in the format.

 

Zalmi recorded their sixth win of PSL 11 on Wednesday, beating Gladiators at the National Bank Stadium. 

 

Babar chose to field first and his bowlers delivered, dismissing Gladiators for 154 in 20 overs. Hassan Nawaz top-scored with 37 off 35 balls, while Rilee Rossouw made 26 and Khawaja Nafay 20. Sufiyan Muqeem and Abdul Basit took three wickets each, with Muqeem returning figures of 3 for 24 in four overs. Iftikhar Ahmed chipped in with one wicket.

 

Chasing 155, Zalmi knocked off the target with nine balls to spare and lost only two wickets. 

 

Babar anchored the chase remaining notout 71 off 51 balls, hitting 10 fours. 

 

Mohammad Haris contributed 35 and Kusal Mendis 21, while Aaron Hardie finished things off with an unbeaten 18. Alzarri Joseph and Saud Shakeel took one wicket each for Gladiators but could not slow Zalmi down.

 

Peshawar Zalmi currently sits at the top of the table standings with 13 points from 7 matches, winning six and having one washed out.