Five-star Shahid Afridi helped Peshawar Zalmi register an eight-wicket victory over Quetta Gladiators in an inconsequential match at Sharjah Cricket Stadiumon Sunday.

Both the teams have already qualified for the playoffs and they found the opportunity to give chance to their fringe players.

Afidi's career best 5 for 7 and Davis Malan's 60 not out were outstanding performances from Peshawar.

Chasing a total of 129 Peshawar started cautiously as Malan opened the innings with Mohammad Hafeez instead of Tamim Iqbal.

After seeing off three overs Hafeez blasted Mohammad Nawaz for 15 runs in his first over to up the tempo of the game.

Hafeez departed after making 36 runs. Now Kamran Akmal joined Malan in the middle and put on

54-run partnership. Kamran departed after making 17 runs but Malan remained not out on 60 to guide Peshawar to a resounding eight-wicket victory.

Having luxury of qualified for the playoffs Quetta Gladiators introduced wholesale changes. After a flying start (40 in 4 overs) Gladiators suffered the slide by losing wickets in cluster.

Wahab Riaz known for aggression started the fourth over and Ahmed Shehzad dispatched him into the stands. Wahab took the revenge by bowling him out which followed angry exchange of words and both the players almost came to blows.

Kumar Sangakkara who joined Quettaon Sundayafter helping Gemini Arabians lift the Masters Champions League title was castled by Wahab courtesy to a beautiful inswinger to make it two for 41.

Captain Shahid Afridi joined the party by sending Akbur-ur Rehman back to make it three for 42.

.SAfridiOfficial steals the show with his performance! Another win for PeshawarZalmi! #PZvQG pic.twitter.com/eyxg7EBECQ

- PakistanSuperLeague (thePSLt20) February 14 2016 Quetta batsmen looked in a hurry and were in no mood to stay at the wicket.

Mohammad Nawaz Sarfraz Ahmed Mohammad Nabi and Elton Chigumbura fell to Afridi in quick succession. Afridi grabbed five for only seven runs in his four overs.

Now it was up to Grant Elliott to give Quetta score a some sort of respectability. He started the proceedings with a towering six against the bowling of Shawn Tait.

He did not disappoint his team and the vocal crowd of Sharjah. The New Zealander and last man Zualifqar Babar plundered 60 runs in five overs to help Quetta set up 129 in18 overs. Elliott made entertaining 40 while Babar remained not out on 20.

Brief scores

Quetta Gladiators 129 (all out in 18 overs)

Grant Elliott 40 Shehzad 21 Zualifqar Babar 20; Shahid Afridi 5 for 7; Wahab Riaz 2 for 19

Peshawar Zalmi 130 for 2 in 18.4 overs

Mohammad Hafeez 36 David Malan 60 Kamran Akmal 17; Mohammad Nawaz 1 for 38 Zualifqar Babar 1 for 21

Peshawar won by 8 wickets