Gladiators swagger into HBL PSL playoffs

By our correspondents

February 25, 2017

DUBAI: There is something about Quetta Gladiators.

They were the cheapest team sold for US1.1 million ahead of the inaugural PSL last year. Yet, the franchise owned by Karachi-based Omar Associates provided the proverbial underdog’s tale with an unexpected winning spree in PSL 1 that only ended in the final at the hands of Islamabad United.

This year again, Quetta have run roughshod over some of their rivals and on Thursday night became the first time to secure a place in the playoffs of HBL Pakistan Super League with an authoritative six-wicket triumph against Karachi Kings here at the Dubai International Stadium.

One of the heroes of Thursday night’s win, Ahmed Shehzad stressed that it was the “unbelievable atmosphere” in their dressing room that has worked as a catalyst in Quetta’s success.

“It’s the way our coaches and managers handle things. They have helped shape an unbelievable dressing room atmosphere and that has really lifted the team,” said Shehzad, who rediscovered his lost form with a sparkling 54.

With yet another win, Quetta became the first team to book their place in the play-offs as they surged to nine points at the top of the five team pool following their win. Karachi are languishing at the bottom of the table with just four points after six games.

Having restricted Karachi to 154, Quetta rode on a scintillating 105-run opening stand between Shehzad (54) and Asad Shafiq (51) to make 158 for 4, going past the target with an over to spare and cement their place at the top of the table.

Quetta also won the first-leg clash in Dubai through an unbroken 130-run alliance between Rilee Rossouw and captain Sarfraz Ahmed.

The pair of Shehzad and Shafiq was together for 73 balls and dominated the Kings attack to ensure a smooth sail for their team despite a brief mid-innings stutter which saw the Gladiators lose three wickets inside six balls in one Sohail Khan over. The right-armer took the wickets of Shafiq and Shehzad while Kevin Pietersen was run out without facing a ball.

Shehzad stroked four boundaries and three sixes during his fluid 40-ball knock while Shafiq (51) cracked six boundaries.

Earlier, Karachi put into bat failed to capitalise on a breezy opening stand of 63 in 47 balls between skipper Kumar Sangakkara (28) and Babar Azam (36).

Sangakkara slammed two sixes and a boundary in his 18-ball knock while Azam cracked four boundaries.

Bangladesh allrounder Mahmudullah put the skids by removing both openers to finish with impressive figures of three for 21 and was adjudged man of the match.

Gayle laboured to make 29 despite smacking a couple of sixes.

Karachi’s total would have looked below par if not for Kieron Pollard’s 19-ball 31 which was studded with four boundaries and a six as Mir Hamza went for 21 in his final over.

Mir Hamza drafted in the Gladiators eleven for the first time this season was hammered for 48 runs in his four overs quota.

Score Board

Quetta Gladiators won toss

Karachi Kings

Babar Azam c Hasan b Mahmudullah 36

*†K C Sangakkara st Sarfraz b Mahmudullah 28

C H Gayle c Hasan b Anwar 29

Shoaib Malik c Hasan b Mahmudullah 9

K A Pollard c Anwar b Mir 31

R S Bopara c Rossouw b Anwar 1

Imad Wasim not out 6

Sohail Khan not out 0