LAHORE: Lahore Qalandars faced yet another defeat as Quetta Gladiators clinched an outstanding five-wicket win, successfully chasing down a target of 188 runs in the fourth match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine at Gaddafi Stadium on Monday.
The star of the match was emerging batter Khawaja Nafay, whose unbeaten 60-run innings steered Quetta Gladiators to their second consecutive victory in the tournament, while dealing Lahore Qalandars their second successive loss.
Quetta Gladiators’ chase was bolstered by a solid opening partnership between Jason Roy and Saud Shakeel, laying the foundation with a crucial 69-run stand. Although Shakeel contributed a brisk 40 runs off 23 balls, it was Nafay who took charge of the chase, showcasing remarkable strokeplay with four boundaries and three sixes.
Despite notable contributions from Roy, Captain Rilee Rossouw, and Sarfaraz Ahmed, Quetta Gladiators faced stiff competition from Lahore Qalandars’ bowlers. However, Nafay’s resilience and determination ultimately guided his team to victory.
Lahore Qalandars Batting Against Quetta Gladiators
Earlier in the match, Lahore Qalandars, led by captain Shaheen Afridi, opted to bat first after winning the toss. Sahibzada Farhan’s anchoring fifty and Jahandad Khan’s blistering knock propelled the defending champions to a challenging total of 187/7 in their allotted 20 overs.
Despite their formidable total, Lahore Qalandars faltered in their defense as Quetta Gladiators showcased remarkable determination and skill, securing victory with five balls to spare.
The defeat marks another setback for Lahore Qalandars, who previously suffered defeat against Islamabad United in the tournament opener. Despite strengthening their squad with the addition of in-form players like Sikandar Raza and Carlos Brathwaite, Lahore Qalandars will need to regroup and strategize to bounce back in the competition.
On the other hand, Quetta Gladiators’ new-look team started the ninth edition on a high note with a victory over Peshawar Zalmi. Led by Captain Rilee Rossouw, Quetta Gladiators showcased a strong batting performance, complemented by a disciplined bowling attack.
Lahore Qalandars Squad
Fakhar Zaman, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Rassie van der Dussen, Abdullah Shafique, Sikandar Raza, Salman Fayyaz, Carlos Brathwaite, Jahandad Khan, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan
Quetta Gladiators Squad
Jason Roy, Saud Shakeel (vc), Khawaja Nafay, Rilee Rossouw (c), Sarfaraz Ahmed, Sherfane Rutherford, Akeal Hosein, Muhammad Wasim Jnr, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Amir, Abrar Ahmed
