Hasan stars as Karachi bowl out Quetta for 118

RAWALPINDI: Hasan Ali (4-15) ran through Quetta Gladiators’ innings to revive Karachi Kings’ fortunes in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 here at the Pindi Stadium Wednesday.

Hasan backed by Blessing Muzarabani (2-27) bowled out Quetta for PSL 9 lowest 118 with Kings reaching the target in 15.3 overs for the loss of three wickets. It was a struggle all the way for Quetta following the early exit of Jasan Roy (15). The wickets then started tumbling in heap with Man of the Match Hasan Ali removing Saud Shakil (33) and Khawaja Nafay (17) in one over to reduce Gladiators to 68-3. Quetta never recovered from there on as the whole team was bundled out for low 118.

Akeal Hosein (14) was the other notable scorer for Gladiators, who lost their last seven wickets for just fifty runs. “Wicket was conducive for bowling though we succeeded in checking the run flow more due to continuous breakthroughs. We desperately required victory which we got today,” Hasan said. Quetta’s troubles deepened in the 14th over as skipper Rilee Rossouw (10, 16b) mistimed a shot to Muhammad Nawaz fielding at long-off. In the subsequent overs, Sherfane Rutherford was caught for a-run-a-ball nine and Zahid rattled Mohammad Amir’s (2, 4b) stumps to leave the Gladiators struggling at 100-7 in 15.3 overs. Hasan bowled his second double-wicket over of the innings as he got Akeal Hosein (14) and Mohammad Hasnain (5) in the penultimate over.

Tim Seifert (49) was the mainstay of Kings’ innings striking two sixes and six fours during his 30-ball knock. James Vince (27) and Shoaib Malik (27 not out) then ensured Kings get to the target in 16th over. For Quetta, Abrar Ahmed (1-24) and Akeal (1-24) bowled well but never looked threatening to take the match away.

“Once I settled down I also tried to use a long handle,” Malik said. Karachi lost their captain, Shan Masood (7) in the second over of the innings when he was caught behind off Amir’s bowling.

The second-wicket partnership between Tim Seifert and James Vince did well to bring Karachi right on track for the 119-run chase. They took on Amir in the fourth over, hitting a six and two fours. In the last over of the powerplay, Vince hit two consecutive fours against Abrar Ahmed.

In the next over, Seifert smashed two fours against Hasnain to keep the momentum going. The two batted together to add 50 to the total, until the partnership was broken in the ninth over as Vince (27) was caught by Hasnain at gully.

Seifert remained steadfast in his onslaught as he produced three consecutive boundaries against Hasnain in the 11th over. He was joined in the middle by Shoaib, with the duo stitching a vital 44-run third-wicket partnership.

Abrar denied Seifert a half-century as the wicketkeeper batter was stumped in the 14th over and had to walk back for 49 on 31, with six fours and two sixes. Shoaib (27 not out) helped his side get over the line, hitting the winning six against Usman on the third ball of the 16thover to seal the game.