LAHORE: Quetta Gladiators edged past Karachi Kings by five runs in the 15th fixture of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 here at Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.
Chasing a modest target of 143, the Kings fell just short, ending their innings at 137 for eight despite a promising start.
The run chase began on a difficult note as Karachi Kings’ captain David Warner was dismissed for just four runs by Mohammad Amir in the first over. However, Tim Seifert and James Vince fought back aggressively, putting pressure on the Quetta Gladiators.
The pair formed a 50-run partnership for the second wicket, consistently finding the boundary and taking control of the innings.
The momentum shifted when Quetta captain Saud Shakeel broke the partnership by dismissing Vince for 30 runs off 29 deliveries, leaving the Kings at 77 for 2 in the ninth over.
Seifert continued his aggressive batting but was taken out by Mohammad Wasim Jr. for a rapid 47 runs off 26 balls, which brought Karachi to 93 for 3 in the 12th over.
Karachi’s middle order collapsed under the increasing pressure. Shan Masood struggled, getting out for a disappointing 9 runs off 17 balls to Khurram Shahzad. Things worsened when Abrar Ahmed dismissed Khushdil Shah without scoring, followed by Amir, who took out Mohammad Nabi for only four runs.
Shahzad struck again, sending Abbas Afridi back for no runs, and Wasim Jr. further diminished Karachi’s prospects by dismissing Omair Bin Yousuf for 11 runs.
Despite a resilient performance from Hasan Ali, who scored 24 not out off 13 balls, the Kings fell short of their target, losing by five runs.
For Quetta Gladiators, it was an all-round bowling effort with Mohammad Amir, Abrar Ahmed, and Khurram Shahzad taking two wickets each.
Earlier, Hasan Ali’s three-wicket haul helped Karachi Kings bundle out Quetta Gladiators for a modest total.
Put into bat, Quetta Gladiators were bundled out for 142 in 19.3 overs, courtesy of a dominant bowling display from Karachi Kings’ four-pronged pace attack.
The Gladiators had a poor start as they lost their top-four inside the powerplay. Hasan Ali started the proceedings with an opening burst that removed Saud Shakeel (6) and Finn Allen (0) in the second over.
The wickets brought experienced Rilee Rossouw to the crease. However, his stay was cut short as Hasan castled him, after scoring 10 off 9 with the help of two boundaries.
Playing his first match in the PSL, New Zealand’s Mark Chapman could not rise to the occasion, as Mohammad Nabi dismissed him after scoring just 4 runs.
However, on the other end, Kusal Mendis held firm and struck elegant boundaries, taking Gladiators to 69 in 8 overs. He was eventually removed after a brisk 36 off 22 balls with the help of five fours.
Nonetheless, it was Hasan Nawaz’s and Faheem Ashraf’s determined 59-run partnership that took Quetta out of trouble. Both batters batted briskly, taking the team’s score over the 100-run mark in the 15th over.
In the 15th over bowled by Hasan Ali, Quetta scored 19 runs, boosting their hopes for a strong total. Faheem hit two sixes and four fours, breaking the pressure.
The partnership ended in the 16th over with Hasan’s removal, after scoring 35 runs off 34 balls. After a solid partnership, Quetta failed to reach a strong total as Karachi Kings struck in quick succession.
Quetta Gladiators were eventually bundled out for a meagre total on the third ball of the penultimate over, thanks to a run-out. Faheem Ashraf remained the top-scorer with a gutsy 43 off 27 deliveries,
For Karachi Kings, Hasan Ali was the stand-out bowler, taking three wickets for 33 in his 3.3 overs. Abbas Afridi and Mir Hamza provided strong support, each taking two wickets.
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