Quetta send Karachi packing, win by 67 runs

DUBAI: Quetta Gladiators recorded the biggest win by runs in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) history by defeating Karachi Kings by 67 runs in Thursday’s second game in Dubai.

Courtesy a fiery knock of 90 runs by Opener Shane Watson assisted with Kevin Pietersen's half-century, Quetta Gladiators posted a score of 180 runs against Karachi Kings. Kings only scored 113 for the loss of eight wickets as the Sarfraz-led Gladiators' bowling attack did not allow Kings to dominate the game in the second innings of the game either.

Watson and Pietersen effectively neutralised the Kings' bowling attack, by smashing boundaries all over the ground. The Australian opener had given one easy catch during the game when he was on 54, but Usman Khan Shinwari dropped it - the mistake severely cost Imad Wasim-led team.

Gladiators cemented their domination in the game by picking two early key wickets in the start of their innings. Muhammad Nawaz stumped opener Joe Denly on the very first over the match, while in the next over Kings' decision to send Shahid Afridi did not prove beneficial as the senior batsman in his typical fashion was dismissed by fast bowler Rahat Ali by giving an easy catch over mid-off area.

Ravi Bopara was taken by Ben Laughlin on a duck by nicking a ball to Sarfraz. In the 10th over of the game, Babar Azam departed on the very first ball of Shane Watson. The highlight of the day was fast bowler Rahat Ali pointing towards the pavilion after dismissing Kings' skipper Imad Wasim. The celebration clearly irked Wasim.

Shane Watson's fiery start pushed Kings on defensive. His three sixes to skipper Imad Wasim put the basis of a strong start to the Sarfraz-led team. Afridi gave a much-needed breakthrough to Kings by dismissing Asad Shafiq (16) on the last ball of the sixth over.