Gladiators stage a late fightback to down Kings

By our correspondent
LAHORE: Quetta Gladiators staged a late fightback to conquer Karachi Kings by five runs after a sensational finish in their crucial game of the HBL PSL X at the Gaddafi Stadium Lahore on Friday night.
Set to chase 143 Kings were at one stage 93-2 and it seemed that they would win the game easily. However, they lost Tim Seifert for 47 at the same score and it triggered a collapse. They were reduced to 115-8 in the 18th over. And in the final over from Faheem Ashraf Kings needed 17 but they could only muster 11 runs and were restricted to 137-8. Hasan Ali remained not out on 13-ball 24 which featured one six and three fours.
The credit goes to pacemen Mohammad Amir (2-26), Khurram Shahzad (2-31) and Mohammad Wasim Junior (2-22) who bowled extremely well.
Set to chase a relatively easy target Kings received an early blow when left-armer Mohammad Amir removed David Warner (4) in his first over.
However, Tim Seifert and James Vince built the base by adding 73 runs for the second wicket association. It was part-time bowler Saud Shakeel who got rid of Vince, held at extra-cover by Rilee Rossouw to break the partnership.
Vince struck one six and three fours in his 29-ball 30.
Tim Seifert also could not go deep and was dislodged by Mohammad Wasim Junior for a 26-ball 47. Seifert hammered two sixes and five fours in his nice knock. And at this stage Kings faced a collapse as Khurram Shahzad got rid of Shan Masood, held excellently by keeper Kusal Mendis before spinner Abrar Ahmad sent Khushdil Shah (0) to leave Kings struggling at 97-5 in the 15th over.
Kings’ miseries continued as Mohammad Amir then removed Mohammad Nabi (4) to leave Kings gasping at 102-6 in the 16th over. Khurram Shahzad then had Abbas Afridi (0) to pile-up further miseries on Kings. They needed 36 runs from 21 balls. Wasim Junior then got rid of Omair Bin Yousuf (11). Hasan in the end managed a few good strokes but failed to seal a victory for his side.
This was the second win from Gladiators in four games while the loss left Kings at six points from six matches.
Earlier Karachi Kings’ skipper David Warner won a crucial toss and decided to field first in the empty stadium.
Kings were put by the experienced pacer Hasan Ali in commanding position within no time. He blew up the top order by taking three quick wickets.
He was ably backed by Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Nabi (1-21) and at one stage Gladiators were 69-5 in the ninth over.
The drama began in the second over. Discarded international Hasan removed openers Saud Shakeel (6) and Finn Allen (0) in his first over to create a stir in Gladiators batting line-up.
Saud was held at point by Shan Masood after the left-handed batsman went for a cut.
Allen played uppish and was caught by Abbas Afridi at mid-on. In his next over Hasan then sent Rilee Rossouw back for a nine-ball ten. The South Africa left-handed batsman went for a pull but it took the inner edge of his blade and crashed onto the stumps.
Rilee smacked two fours in his brief knock.
Gladiators kept losing wickets. It was now the turn of New Zealand’s hard-hitting batsman Mark Chapman who was bowled by spinner Mohammad Nabi for just four to leave Qalandars gasping at 44-4 in the sixth over.
The drama continued and young pacer Abbas Afridi got the wicket of the well-set Kusal Mendis, caught in the deep by James Vince to leave them reeling at 69-5 in the ninth over.
Mendis hammered five fours in his 22-ball 36.
However, at this stage Hasan Nawaz and Faheem Ashraf batted extremely well. They stitched a 59-run partnership for the sixth wicket to boost the total.
Young paceman Fawad Ali (1-19) broke the stand by removing Hasan who belted a 34-ball 35, hammering two fours.
In the next over left-armer Mir Hamza bowled Mohammad Wasim Junior (1) before they blew the tail to fold Gladiators for a low total.
Faheem Ashraf top-scored, making 27-ball 43. The left-handed batsman smashed three sixes and four fours in his solid knock before falling prey to Abbas Aridi in the 19th over.
Hasan Ali (3-31) continued with his fine form by removing the top order to bring the oppositions under the knees. By taking three wickets Hasan also became the leading wicket-taker of the event so far with 13 scalps to his credit. He surpassed Islamabad United’s Jason Holder who has claimed 12 wickets in five matches. Abbas Afridi (2-31) and Mir Hamza (2-24) also left the oppositions batsmen unsettled.