Ton-up Guptill bats Quetta to victory over Karachi Kings

New Zealand’s Martin Guptill hit a swashbuckling century in the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League to help his team Quetta Gladiators to a six runs victory against Karachi Kings at National Bank Arena in Karachi.

It was third consecutive defeat for Karachi Kings in as many matches.

Quetta Gladiators made a decent total of 167-7 while Karachi Kings could reach 162-5 in the allotted overs. 

Shoaib Malik remained unbeaten for his 71 runs off 49 balls while Irfan Khan was not out at 37 off 26 balls. 

Guptill was caught out at the last ball of the Quetta innings but not before damaging the Karachi bowling in a match where they remained dominant in most of the innings.

Karachi Kings captain Imad Wasim won the toss and invited Quetta to bat first. Then the Karachi captain shone with the ball as he took three early wickets of Quetta in no time. Jason Roy and Abdul Bangalzai went without opening the account while Umar Akmal could score only 4 runs as Imad rattled through Quetta's batting which were reduced to 13-3 in 2.3 overs.

Aamer Yamin also removed Quetta’s captain Sarfaraz Ahmad who could make only five runs and Quetta were reduced to 23-4 in 6.1 overs.

However, Guptill kept his patience and along with Iftikhar Ahmad steadied the Quetta’s sinking ship. Both added 69 runs for the fifth wicket before Muhammad Amir removed Iftikhar in the 15th over as Quetta were 92-5. Iftikhar was the only other batter who could enter double figures as he scored 32 runs off 27 balls hitting three boundaries.

At that moment, even reaching 140 runs figure was looking difficult for Quetta. However, Guptill reached his half century in 44 balls hitting six boundaries as Quetta reached 100 runs mark in 15.4 overs. After that, Guptill changed the gear and put the dominant Karachi bowlers to the sword. He took only 18 more balls to reach his century off 62 balls hitting four sixes and 11 boundaries.

He hit 30 runs to Andrew Tye in the penultimate over before he was caught out at boundary on the last ball of the innings bowled by Aamer Yamin. Guptill finished his innings at 117 off 67 balls hitting five sixes and 12 boundaries.