Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Gladiators is one of the most competitive rivalries in Pakistan Super League (PSL) history. Since the tournament began in 2016, the two franchises have played numerous memorable matches, including close finishes, high-scoring thrillers and major playoff encounters.peshawar vs quetta head to head in psl
The rivalry has remained remarkably balanced over the years. According to the latest available head-to-head records, the teams have met 27 times, with Peshawar Zalmi winning 15 and Quetta Gladiators winning 12.
Peshawar also produced a spectacular performance in their latest 2026 meeting, defeating Quetta by 118 runs after scoring 255/3.
Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Gladiators Head-to-Head Record
| Team | Matches | Won | Lost | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peshawar Zalmi | 27 | 15 | 12 | 0 |
| Quetta Gladiators | 27 | 12 | 15 | 0 |
Head-to-head leader: Peshawar Zalmi
Peshawar have won three more matches than Quetta in their overall rivalry. However, the difference is relatively small considering the number of games played, which highlights how closely matched these teams have been.peshawar vs quetta head to head in psl
Note: Some statistical websites currently list 26 matches and one no-result, while others count 27 completed encounters. The most recent records list the rivalry at 27 matches, including the 2026 meetings.
A Rivalry That Started in PSL 2016
Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators were both part of the inaugural PSL season in 2016. Their rivalry began almost immediately, with the teams meeting several times during that first season.
Quetta won their first encounter by 3 wickets, while Peshawar responded by winning their next meeting by 8 wickets. The sides then met in the 2016 Qualifier, where Quetta won by just 1 run.
That one-run result was an early indication of the competitiveness that would become a defining characteristic of the rivalry.
2017 PSL Final: Peshawar Zalmi’s Famous Victory
One of the biggest matches between these franchises came in the 2017 PSL final.
Peshawar Zalmi defeated Quetta Gladiators by 58 runs to win their first PSL championship. Peshawar scored 148/6 before their bowling attack dismissed Quetta for only 90 in 16.3 overs.
The final was particularly significant because both franchises had already established themselves as strong teams during the early years of the PSL.
For Peshawar, the victory delivered their first PSL trophy. For Quetta, it became one of their most disappointing defeats.
2018: Another Close Encounter
The rivalry continued to produce exciting matches in 2018.
One of the most memorable encounters came in the Eliminator, when Peshawar Zalmi defeated Quetta Gladiators by 1 run. Peshawar scored 157 before restricting Quetta to 156/9.
A one-run victory is one of the narrowest possible margins in T20 cricket, and this match further strengthened the reputation of Peshawar vs Quetta as a rivalry capable of producing dramatic finishes.
2019 PSL Final: Quetta Get Their Revenge
Quetta Gladiators eventually had their revenge in another major final.
In the 2019 PSL final, Quetta defeated Peshawar by 8 wickets to win their first PSL title. The Gladiators successfully chased Peshawar’s total, with Shane Watson playing a major role in the victory.
The result created an interesting piece of PSL history: Peshawar and Quetta had faced each other in major finals, with each franchise eventually winning a championship against the other.
This made their rivalry about more than regular-season points—it became connected to PSL championship history.
Peshawar’s Dominance in 2020 and 2021
Peshawar Zalmi enjoyed a strong period against Quetta in 2020 and 2021.
In 2020, Peshawar defeated Quetta by 30 runs. The following year, Zalmi recorded another convincing victory, winning by 61 runs.
The 2021 match was particularly impressive because Peshawar’s batting and bowling units both contributed. Their ability to build a large total and then defend it comfortably demonstrated the strength of their squad.
These victories helped Peshawar maintain their overall advantage in the head-to-head record.
2022: Another Zalmi Victory
The teams continued their rivalry in the 2022 PSL season.
Peshawar Zalmi scored 185/7, with Shoaib Malik scoring 58 and Hussain Talat making 51. Quetta fought back through Will Smeed, who scored 99 from 60 balls, but the Gladiators fell short. Peshawar won by 24 runs.
Smeed’s 99 was one of the standout individual performances in a losing cause. Despite his brilliant innings, Quetta could not find enough support from the rest of the batting lineup.
2023: One of the Biggest Batting Battles
The 2023 season produced some spectacular cricket between Peshawar and Quetta.
In one match, Peshawar Zalmi scored 240/2, powered by an extraordinary batting performance. Quetta attempted to respond but could not complete the chase. In another 2023 encounter, Quetta posted 243/2, with Peshawar losing by a narrow margin.
These matches demonstrated the changing nature of T20 cricket. Both sides had the batting strength to score more than 200, and the rivalry increasingly became a battle between aggressive batting and innovative bowling.
According to head-to-head statistics, 243 remains Quetta’s highest score against Peshawar, while Peshawar’s highest total is listed as 240 in this rivalry.
2024: Another Split in Results
The 2024 PSL season again showed the balance between these teams.
Quetta Gladiators defeated Peshawar by 16 runs in one meeting. Quetta scored 206/5 before Peshawar made 190/6.
Peshawar then responded strongly in another match. Zalmi scored 196/8, while Quetta were dismissed for just 120. Peshawar won by 76 runs.
The contrasting results demonstrated that neither team could take its opponent lightly.
2025: Quetta’s Strong Response
The 2025 PSL season was particularly successful for Quetta in this matchup.
Quetta Gladiators defeated Peshawar Zalmi twice during the season. In the first match on 12 April 2025, Quetta scored a massive 216/3 and dismissed Peshawar for 136, winning by 80 runs.
Later, on 27 April 2025, Quetta again defeated Peshawar, this time by 64 runs after scoring 178/7 and bowling Zalmi out for 114.
These back-to-back victories gave Quetta considerable momentum and demonstrated that the Gladiators could dominate Peshawar when their bowling attack performed effectively.
2026: Peshawar Zalmi’s Huge Victory
The latest chapter in the rivalry came in the 2026 PSL season.
On 19 April 2026, Peshawar Zalmi produced one of their most dominant performances against Quetta Gladiators. Batting first at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi, Peshawar scored an incredible 255/3 in 20 overs.
Babar Azam was the star of the innings. He remained unbeaten on 100 from 52 balls, reaching his century from the final ball of the innings. Kusal Mendis also played an outstanding innings, scoring 83 from 44 balls.
Quetta were set a target of 256, but their chase collapsed. They were bowled out for 137 in 18.1 overs, giving Peshawar a massive 118-run victory.
Young fast bowler Ali Raza was particularly impressive, taking 3 wickets for only 9 runs, while Mohammad Basit also claimed three wickets.
The 118-run margin was described by the Pakistan Cricket Board as the fourth-largest winning margin by runs in PSL history.
Babar Azam’s Impact
Babar Azam has become one of the most important modern players in the Peshawar-Quetta rivalry.
His unbeaten century in 2026 was a perfect example of his ability to control an innings while still maintaining an excellent scoring rate. He scored 100 from 52 balls, including six fours and four sixes.
The partnership between Babar and Kusal Mendis was equally important. Mendis scored 83 from 44 deliveries, and together they helped Peshawar reach 255/3.
Babar’s century also made him the Player of the Match.
Top Run-Scorers in the Rivalry
Historical statistics show that Kamran Akmal has been one of the most successful batsmen in Peshawar vs Quetta matches. He has scored 459 runs in this head-to-head fixture. Sarfraz Ahmed follows with a substantial number of runs for Quetta.
These two players represent the history of the rivalry particularly well. Akmal was a major part of Peshawar’s early PSL success, while Sarfraz was central to Quetta’s identity and their 2019 championship campaign.
Top Wicket-Takers
On the bowling side, Wahab Riaz has been a standout performer for Peshawar against Quetta.
Historical statistics credit Wahab with around 34-35 wickets in this fixture, while Quetta’s Mohammad Nawaz has also taken a significant number of wickets.
Wahab’s ability to bowl aggressively in the powerplay and death overs made him particularly effective in high-pressure matches against Quetta.
Highest and Lowest Team Scores
Highest Team Scores
The Peshawar Zalmi-Quetta Gladiators rivalry has frequently produced high-scoring games.
Quetta’s highest score against Peshawar is 243/2, while Peshawar’s previous major scores included 240/2 in 2023.
However, Peshawar established a new benchmark in 2026.
On 19 April 2026, Zalmi scored an extraordinary 255/3 in 20 overs at the National Stadium in Karachi. Babar Azam remained unbeaten on 100 from 52 balls, while Kusal Mendis contributed 83 from 44 balls. Aaron Hardie added a rapid unbeaten 26 from only 10 deliveries.
Quetta were subsequently bowled out for 137 in 18.1 overs, giving Zalmi a huge 118-run victory.
That match is now one of the biggest statements Peshawar have made in this head-to-head rivalry.
The 2023 Run-Fest
The 2023 PSL season produced another memorable chapter in this rivalry.
Quetta Gladiators scored 243/2, while Peshawar Zalmi replied with 240/2 in another remarkable high-scoring contest. Quetta eventually won by three runs.
The match demonstrated just how strong the batting line-ups could be and how difficult it was for bowlers to control the game when conditions favored stroke-making.
Peshawar also defeated Quetta by four wickets earlier in the 2023 season, showing that the two teams were capable of exchanging victories even within the same campaign.
Recent Head-to-Head Form
The recent rivalry has experienced some significant swings.
In 2024, Quetta defeated Peshawar by 16 runs in one meeting, while Peshawar responded by beating Quetta by 76 runs in another match.
The 2025 season was more favorable to Quetta. The Gladiators defeated Zalmi twice. Quetta won by 80 runs in Rawalpindi and later by 64 runs at Gaddafi Stadium.
Peshawar turned the tables in 2026.
On 15 April, Zalmi defeated Quetta by eight wickets after restricting them to 154. Four days later, Peshawar produced an even bigger victory, beating Quetta by 118 runs.
Therefore, the most recent meetings have given Peshawar considerable momentum.
Babar Azam’s Impact
Babar Azam has become an important figure in the Peshawar-Quetta rivalry.
His most recent performance was particularly impressive. Against Quetta on 19 April 2026, Babar scored an unbeaten 100 off 52 balls, including six fours and four sixes. His innings helped Peshawar reach 255/3.
The innings was not only important for the match but also demonstrated Babar’s ability to accelerate in the latter stages of a T20 innings.
With players such as Babar, Kusal Mendis and other aggressive batters, Peshawar have the ability to put enormous pressure on the Gladiators’ bowling attack.
Key Players in the Rivalry
Over the years, several players have played important roles in Peshawar vs Quetta matches.
For Peshawar Zalmi, players such as Babar Azam, Wahab Riaz, Kamran Akmal, Darren Sammy and Tom Kohler-Cadmore have produced memorable performances.
For Quetta Gladiators, Sarfraz Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Shane Watson and Jason Roy have been among the notable performers.
Historical statistics also highlight Kamran Akmal and Sarfaraz Ahmed among the leading run-scorers in this matchup. One source records Akmal with 459 runs and Sarfaraz with 447 runs in the rivalry.
Memorable Matches
1. PSL 2017 Final
Peshawar Zalmi defeated Quetta Gladiators by 58 runs to win their first PSL championship. Quetta were bowled out for only 90 after Peshawar posted 148/6.
2. 2017 Qualifier
Quetta defeated Peshawar by just one run after scoring 200/7. It was another example of how unpredictable this rivalry could be.
3. 2023 High-Scoring Thriller
Quetta scored 243/2 against Peshawar, who responded with 240/2. Quetta won by only three runs.
4. 2026 Record-Breaking Performance
Peshawar scored 255/3 before dismissing Quetta for 137. Zalmi won by 118 runs, with Babar Azam scoring an unbeaten century.
Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Gladiators: Who Has the Edge?
Based on the overall record, Peshawar Zalmi have the edge.
Their 15 wins compared with Quetta’s 12 victories show a narrow advantage. However, the difference is small enough that this cannot be described as a one-sided rivalry.
| Team | Wins | Win Share* |
|---|---|---|
| Peshawar Zalmi | 15 | 55.6% |
| Quetta Gladiators | 12 | 44.4% |
*Win share calculated from the 27 matches that produced a result.
The teams have repeatedly exchanged victories, and both have enjoyed important wins in major matches.
Conclusion
The Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Gladiators head-to-head rivalry in PSL remains one of the most exciting contests in the tournament. After 28 matches, Peshawar Zalmi lead the overall record with 15 wins, while Quetta Gladiators have won 12, with one no-result match.
The rivalry has featured everything that makes T20 cricket entertaining: one-run finishes, huge totals, playoff drama, championship matches and individual batting masterpieces.
The latest chapter strongly favored Peshawar. Their 255/3 in 2026, followed by a 118-run victory, underlined their current dominance.
Nevertheless, Quetta’s history against Zalmi proves that they can never be underestimated. With only a small gap in the overall head-to-head record, every future Peshawar vs Quetta match is likely to remain a highly competitive PSL contest.
5 FAQs
1. How many times have Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators played in the PSL?
Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators have played 28 PSL matches as of April 2026.
2. Who has won more matches between Peshawar and Quetta?
Peshawar Zalmi have the advantage with 15 wins, compared with Quetta Gladiators’ 12. One match ended without a result.
3. What is the highest score in Peshawar vs Quetta matches?
Peshawar Zalmi’s highest score is 255/3, while Quetta Gladiators’ highest is 243/2.
4. Who won the latest Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Gladiators match?
Peshawar Zalmi won the latest meeting on 19 April 2026 by 118 runs.
5. Who scored a century in the latest Peshawar vs Quetta match?
Babar Azam scored an unbeaten 100 from 52 balls for Peshawar Zalmi in the April 19, 2026 match.