Former cricketers have heaped praise on Martin Guptill for delivering Quetta Gladiators’ second win of the HBL Pakistan Super League 8.
However, poor performance and misfield by both teams invited criticism from former national players during the PSL Hangama programme
Quetta Gladiators struggled for the most part in their chase of 165, losing wickets regularly, but Guptill’s onslaught at death helped them to a four-wicket win. Guptill returned unbeaten on 86 off 56 balls.
Salim Malik said Guptill’s was the game changer though the Kings’ position was too strong. Muhammad Yusuf said the Kings did not bat well at all as such a low total can be a comfortable thing in T20s.
They played well at the start, he said, adding that the way Martin Guptill played and led his team to victory is praiseworthy.
Quetta Gladiators’ previous win this season was also against Karachi Kings and was also delivered over a heroic innings by Guptill as he hit the first century of the season in that match. Out of his 252 runs this season, 203 have come against Karachi Kings and his best score against any other opposition is 15.
He stressed both teams have to prepare for the next PSL. Both teams need good players and they should learn from their mistakes.
Former fast bowler Muhammad Asif said that neither of the two teams wanted to win the match.
The fielding of both the teams looked very bad, he said and suggested giving chance to other players.
The Kings were playing well till the 15th over, but inexperienced bowling let them down and the dropping catches left them in the lurch, Asif rued.