Karachi: Quetta Gladiators produced a well-rounded performance to secure a convincing six-wicket triumph over defending champions Lahore Qalandars in the 26th fixture of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at the National Bank Stadium on Friday.
Chasing a modest target of 135, the Gladiators completed the job with 22 deliveries remaining, finishing at 135 for 4 after initially wobbling under early pressure.
Their innings began on a disappointing note as both openers were dismissed cheaply. Shamyl Hussain fell without scoring, while Saud Shakeel managed just a single, leaving Quetta in trouble at 11 for 2 inside the first three overs.
Rilee Rossouw then anchored the recovery, joining Mohammad Nawaz to rebuild the innings. The pair displayed composure and control, stitching together a crucial 104-run stand for the third wicket that shifted momentum firmly in Quetta’s favour.
Nawaz played an aggressive hand, striking six boundaries and two sixes in his 49 off 32 balls, but fell just short of a half-century when Sikandar Raza effected a smart stumping in the 14th over.
Any hopes of a late twist were quickly contained. In the very next over, Haris Rauf removed Dinesh Chandimal for just three, keeping Lahore under pressure.
Rossouw, however, remained unshaken at the crease. The South African left-hander carried his bat through the chase, timing his innings perfectly and guiding his side to victory in the 17th over. He finished unbeaten on 60 from 49 balls, striking five fours and two sixes. Bevon Jacobs provided useful support at the end with a quick 14 not out off six deliveries.
For Lahore, wickets were shared among Sikandar Raza, Haris Rauf, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, each taking one scalp.
Earlier in the match, Lahore Qalandars struggled to build a competitive total after opting to bat first. Their innings never found stability as they were bowled out for 134 in 19.5 overs.
The early breakthrough came in the second over when Jahandad Khan dismissed Mohammad Naeem for four, setting the tone for Quetta’s bowling attack. Fakhar Zaman briefly counterattacked with 20 off 11 balls, including four boundaries, but was soon bowled by Alzarri Joseph.
Joseph struck again immediately, removing Charith Asalanka for six, leaving Lahore reeling at 36 for 3. The pressure mounted further when Saqib Khan dismissed Mohammad Farooq cheaply for two.
A brief resistance came from Abdullah Shafique and wicketkeeper Haseebullah Khan, who added 18 runs, but Usman Tariq broke through by stumping Shafique for 17 and then dismissing captain Shaheen Shah Afridi for a duck in the same over.
At 60 for 6, Lahore were in deep trouble. Haseebullah tried to rebuild alongside Sikandar Raza, adding 24 runs before Raza was bowled early in the 17th over.
Haseebullah top-scored for Lahore with a fighting 33 off 37 balls, featuring four boundaries, but his run-out in the penultimate over ended any realistic hopes of a late surge.
A late burst from Usama Mir, who smashed 22 off just seven deliveries with three sixes and a four, briefly lifted spirits, but Jahandad Khan cleaned up the tail, dismissing both Mir and Haris Rauf in consecutive deliveries to wrap up the innings.
Quetta’s bowling unit shared the spoils effectively, with Usman Tariq and Jahandad Khan claiming three wickets each, Alzarri Joseph taking two, and Saqib Khan adding one to complete a disciplined all-round effort.
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