By Alam Zeb Safi
KARACHI: Rilee Rossouw anchored a clinical run chase with an unbeaten half-century as Quetta Gladiators secured a vital six-wicket win over Lahore Qalandars in the HBL PSL 11 at the National Stadium on Friday.
The victory, Quetta’s third in seven matches, keeps their playoff hopes firmly alive, while Qalandars slumped to their fourth defeat in six outings after a disjointed batting performance saw them dismissed for a paltry total of 134.
Chasing 135, Gladiators overcame an early wobble that saw openers Shamyl Hussain and captain Saud Shakeel depart within the first 13 balls. However, a commanding 104-run partnership for the third wicket between Rossouw and Hasan Nawaz effectively ended the contest.
Rossouw’s unbeaten 60 came off 49 deliveries, punctuated by five boundaries and two towering sixes. He was ably supported by Hasan Nawaz, who provided the aggression with a 32-ball 49, including six fours and two sixes, before being stumped off the bowling of Sikandar Raza. Bevon Jacobs finished the game in style, smashing two sixes in a brief six-ball cameo to reach the target with 22 balls to spare.
Earlier, Lahore Qalandars’ decision to bat first backfired as they were stifled by a disciplined Quetta bowling attack. Usman Tariq was the pick of the bowlers, dismantling the middle order to finish with 3-18, while Jahandad Khan cleaned up the tail to claim 3-35.
Fakhar Zaman provided a brisk start with 20 off 11 balls (4 fours), but his dismissal sparked a collapse. Lahore struggled for momentum throughout, with Abdullah Shafique (17) and Haseebullah Khan (33) forced into a defensive shell. A late flurry from Usama Mir, who struck three sixes in a seven-ball 22, pushed the score to 134, but it proved far from enough on a surface that favored the chasing side.
Summarised scores
Lahore Qalandars: 134 all out (19.5 overs)
Haseebullah Khan (33), Usama Mir (22), Fakhar Zaman (20), Usman Tariq 3-18, Jahandad Khan 3-35
Quetta Gladiators: 138-4 (16.2 overs): Rilee Rossouw: 60*, Hasan Nawaz: 49, Bevon Jacobs: 14*, Shaheen Shah Afridi (1-28), Sikandar Raza (1-17)
Result: Gladiators won by six wickets
Usman Tariq (Man of the match)
