ISLAMABAD: After a struggling start, Quetta Gladiators found it difficult to build momentum against Karachi Kings’ pacers. However, thanks to the brilliant innings from Kusal Medis and Faheem Ashraf, Gladiators managed to score 142 runs in 19.3 overs after losing all wickets.
Karachi Kings took firm control of the contest against Quetta Gladiators at the Gaddafi Stadium, delivering a clinical bowling performance to restrict their opponents to a modest 142 for 10 in their allotted 20 overs.
Having won the toss, Karachi skipper David Warner opted to bowl first — a decision that paid immediate dividends. Hasan Ali set the tone with a fiery opening over, claiming two crucial wickets.
Warner grabs this one off of Mir Hamza’s ball and Mohammad Amir is gone ☝🏻️#HBLPSLX I #ApnaXHai I #QGvKK pic.twitter.com/YzSkUBXykq
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) April 25, 2025
Quetta captain Saud Shakeel, who had opened with a stylish boundary through extra cover, was the first to go, slashing a short delivery straight to point. Just three balls later, Finn Allen departed for a golden duck, gifting a simple catch to mid-on.
Early breakthroughs
The early breakthroughs left Quetta reeling, and though Rilee Rossouw looked in control for a brief period, his innings was cut short by Hasan Nawaz, who bowled a teasing delivery just outside off stump that Rossouw dragged onto his stumps.
Mark Chapman soon followed, falling to Mohammad Nabi, who continued to apply pressure with a disciplined spell.
Kusal Mendis provided a glimmer of hope for the Gladiators with a brisk 36 off 22 balls, peppered with five boundaries, before Abbas Afridi brought his promising knock to an end with a superb catch at long-on.
Faheem Ashraf later staged a brief recovery, smashing 43 from 27 deliveries, including three towering sixes, in a bid to steer Quetta towards a respectable total. However, his efforts were not enough to inspire a full resurgence.
Mir Hamza’s first wicket of the match is Wasim Jr 🙌🏻#HBLPSLX I #ApnaXHai I #QGvKK pic.twitter.com/JTt4TwLODZ
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) April 25, 2025
Hasan Nawaz contributed with a steady innings but was eventually caught in the deep off Fawad Ali, leaving Quetta at 131 for 6 with only a couple of overs remaining. Mir Hamza then dealt the final blows, dismissing Mohammad Wasim and Mohammad Amir in quick succession to leave the Gladiators in dire straits.
With Karachi’s bowlers firing on all cylinders, Quetta’s batting line-up faltered under pressure, setting up what promises to be a straightforward chase for the Kings.
