LAHORE, Pakistan: Quetta Gladiators registered their first win of the Pakistan Super League 11 with a comprehensive 40-run victory over Hyderabad Kingsmen at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday, powered by a disciplined bowling display.
Defending a target of 175, the Gladiators restricted the Kingsmen to 134-8 in their 20 overs, maintaining control throughout the chase after early breakthroughs.
Early blows derail chase
The Kingsmen’s innings got off to a poor start when Saim Ayub fell for eight off four balls, undone by a sharp bouncer from Alzarri Joseph in the opening over.
In the next over, Abrar Ahmed struck to remove Maaz Sadaqat for a duck, leaving Kingsmen at 17-2.
Abrar struck again inside the powerplay, dismissing Usman Khan for 14 as the batting side struggled to gain momentum.
A brief recovery followed through Saad Ali and Marnus Labuschagne, but regular wickets kept the pressure on.
Usman Tariq removed Saad for seven, while skipper Saud Shakeel dismissed Labuschagne for 23.
Middle-order resistance falls short
A 48-run stand between Irfan Khan Niazi and Hassan Khan offered some resistance, taking the total past 100.
However, Ahmed Daniyal broke the partnership by removing Hassan Khan for 31.
Abrar then returned to dismiss Irfan Khan for 33, effectively ending the chase.
Late wickets fell in quick succession as the Kingsmen finished well short, with Maheesh Theekshana unbeaten on two.
Gladiators post competitive total
Earlier, Quetta posted 174-8 after being put in to bat.
Captain Saud Shakeel fell early for four, while Rilee Rossouw departed for a duck, both wickets claimed by Riley Meredith.
Shamyl Hussain and Hassan Nawaz then rebuilt the innings with an 89-run partnership.
Shamyl continued his fine form, scoring 54 off 41 balls, while Hassan brought up his half-century.
The momentum was checked in the middle overs when Theekshana struck twice, removing Khawaja Nafay and Ben McDermott in quick succession.
Late surge seals advantage
A late cameo from Tom Curran, who scored 31 off 18 balls, helped push the total beyond 170.
Abrar Ahmed added an unbeaten nine off three deliveries at the end.
Meredith was the standout bowler for the Kingsmen with figures of 3-38, while Theekshana and Akif Javed claimed two wickets each.
