By Alam Zeb Safi
LAHORE: Quetta Gladiators produced a clinical all-round display to defeat Hyderabad Kingsmen by 40 runs, their maiden win, in HBL PSL 11 at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.
Shamyl Hussain’s composed second successive fifty and Abrar Ahmed’s incisive spell proved decisive in the clash held at the empty stadium.
After being sent into bat, Quetta Gladiators recovered from early setbacks to post 174-8, before restricting Hyderabad Kingsmen to 134-8 in their 20 overs.
Shamyl Hussain struck 54 off 41 balls, hitting three fours and three sixes while Hasan Nawaz matched him stroke-for-stroke with 53 off 40 deliveries, including two fours and three sixes, as the pair stitched together a crucial 89-run third-wicket partnership that rescued the innings after a shaky start.
Quetta stumbled early to 25-2 inside the fourth over, losing captain Saud Shakeel (4) and Rilee Rossouw (0) to Riley Meredith, who removed both inside his opening spell. Hussain and Nawaz then rebuilt steadily, mixing rotation with controlled aggression to lift the run rate through the middle overs.
Hussain’s dismissal at 114-3 in the 14th over triggered a brief wobble. The Gladiators lost three wickets for seven runs, slipping from 114-2 to 121-5, as Maheesh Theekshana struck twice in successive deliveries to remove Khawaja Nafay (6) and Ben McDermott (0).
However, Tom Curran provided late impetus with a brisk 31 off 18 balls, striking one four and three sixes and adding 37 runs for the sixth wicket with Nawaz. A late flourish from Abrar Ahmed, who smashed 9 not out off just three balls with two boundaries, helped Quetta finish strongly at 174-8.
Meredith was the pick of the bowlers with 3-38 while Theekshana (2-24) and Akif Javed (2-25) shared four wickets.
Chasing 175, Hyderabad Kingsmen faltered almost immediately. Saim Ayub (8 off 4, two fours) fell in the first over, and Maaz Sadaqat departed for a duck soon after, leaving the side reeling at 17-2.
Marnus Labuschagne attempted to steady the innings with 23 off 21 balls (three fours), adding 18 runs with Usman Khan (14), but regular wickets derailed the chase. Hyderabad slumped to 57-5 in the tenth over as Abrar Ahmed struck key blows in the middle overs.
Abrar returned figures of 3-23 in four overs, dismissing Sadaqat, Usman Khan and Irfan Khan, the latter stumped for 33 off 25 balls (two fours, two sixes) just as he threatened to revive the chase.
A brief 48-run stand for the sixth wicket between Irfan Khan and Hassan Khan (31 off 19, three fours and a six) offered some resistance, lifting Hyderabad from 57-5 to 105-6. But Ahmed Daniyal’s tight spell (2-13 in four overs) extinguished any remaining hopes, removing Hassan Khan and Hammad Azam in quick succession.
Hyderabad ultimately finished on 134-8, well short of the target as Quetta’s disciplined bowling attack maintained control throughout.
Earlier, Hyderabad managed 37-3 in the powerplay and never recovered from the early damage, with their required rate steadily climbing beyond reach.
Shamyl was declared as player of the match for his fine knock. The win helped Gladiators to open their account with two points while this is the second successive loss for Kingsmen featuring in their first edition.
Summarised scores:
Quetta Gladiators 174-8 in 20 overs (Shamyl Hussain 54, Hasan Nawaz 53; Riley Meredith 3-38)
Hyderabad Kingsmen 134-8 in 20 overs (Irfan Khan 33, Hassan Khan 31; Abrar Ahmed 3-23, Ahmed Daniyal 2-13)
Result: Quetta Gladiators won by 40 runs.
