ISLAMABAD: Quetta Gladiators’ pace attack once again delivered under pressure, skittling Multan Sultans for a meagre 89 runs in just 17 overs during a must-win Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10 fixture under the lights at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday.
The decision by Quetta Gladiators captain Saud Shakeel to bowl first after winning the toss proved spot on, as his bowlers showed no mercy from the outset.
Mohammad Wasim joined the wicket-taking spree by removing David Willey, who miscued a pull shot that was safely pouched by Abrar Ahmed at mid-on.
Despite a valiant effort from skipper Mohammad Rizwan, who remained unbeaten on 44, the Sultans struggled to find any support at the other end, with wickets tumbling at regular intervals.
Faheem Ashraf was instrumental with the ball, claiming his second wicket by dismissing Michael Bracewell for a duck.
Bracewell’s loose drive outside off-stump took a healthy edge, and Mendis made no mistake behind the stumps.
End of powerplay
The powerplay ended with Multan Sultans reeling at 31 for 4, with Khurram Shahzad leading the charge. Returning for his third over, he maintained relentless pressure and added two more scalps to his tally in a fiery spell.
Kamran Ghulam was undone by movement and edged to slip, while Curtis Campher was trapped LBW by a sharp delivery that nipped back.
Shahzad’s earlier over had already turned the tide emphatically in Quetta’s favour, as he dismissed both Yasir Khan and Usman Khan in quick succession.
Yasir fell to a mistimed lofted shot, while Usman’s poor shot selection gifted another easy catch—this time to Mohammad Amir.
Multan Sultans, having made three changes to their XI for this crucial fixture, found themselves completely outplayed on a night where conditions were ideal for cricket.
With no weather interruptions and temperatures cooling from 40°C to around 32°C, the Gaddafi Stadium pitch, known for high scores, instead became a battleground dominated by Gladiators’ incisive bowling.
With an average first-innings score at the venue hovering around 158, the Sultans’ total of 89 was well below par, leaving them with a daunting task ahead in defending such a modest score.
