Gladiators keep playoffs hope alive with win over Kings

Quetta Gladiators beat Karachi Kings by 23 runs in the 28th match of the seventh edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium to keep their hope alive for the play-offs.

Joe Clarke and Captain Babar Azam started off brilliantly by putting up a solid partnership of 87 runs, after which Gladiators’ pacer Khurram Shahzad took a price wicket of Babar Azam, who scored 36 runs off 34 balls. However, Joe Clarke tried his level best to retain the momentum as he scored 52 off 39 balls, and was undone by Mohammad Irfan.

Power hitter Sharjeel Khan was only good to score 16 runs of 7 balls, but was outplayed by the debutant Khurram Shahzad. Qasim Akram and Rohail Nazir managed to score 9 and 8 runs respectively.  

For the Gladiators, Khurram Shahzad turned out to be the standout performer, as he bagged four wickets on his debut. Followed by Naseem Shah who took two wickets. Mohammad Irfan and Ashir Qureshi took a wicket apiece.

 Earlier, Quetta Gladiators won the toss and opted to bat first. Jason Roy and Will Smeed started the innings for the Gladiators. Will Smeed was caught by Lewis Gregory off Usman Shinwari after scoring 10 runs while playing the wrong short.

James Vince, along with Jason Roy, pushed the scoreboard forward and James Vince was also dismissed for 29, when the Gladiators were on 117.

 Umar Akmal also made his way back to the pavilion after scoring just 2 runs while Jason Roy got out on the ball of Mir Hamza after scoring a brilliant 82 runs.

After which Iftikhar Ahmed and Hassan Khan advanced the score and after scoring 166 runs, gave Karachi Kings a target of 167 runs to win.

For the Karachi Kings, Imad Wasim, Mir Hamza, Usman Shinwari and Lewis Gregory took one wicket each.

Now, the Gladiators will look at Multan Sultans to trounce Islamabad United in today's 2nd match, with huge margin.

WHAT AN EFFORT🤜🏽🤛🏽 @JasonRoy20 !!

— Quetta Gladiators (@TeamQuetta) February 20, 2022