Rawalpindiz taste their fifth successive loss
Rizwan-led side was demolished by Quetta Gladiators by 61 runs, their second win from five matches
By Alam Zeb Safi
KARACHI: Quetta Gladiators produced a commanding all-round performance to defeat Rawalpindiz by 61 runs in their HBL PSL 11 match at the National Stadium on Friday, condemning their opponents to a fifth successive defeat while registering only their second win of the campaign.
After being put in to bat, Gladiators posted a competitive 182-6, built around a steady partnership between captain Saud Shakeel and Rilee Rossouw before a flurry of boundaries at the death lifted the total well beyond par.
Shakeel anchored the innings with 42 off 39 balls, striking three fours in a measured knock, while Rossouw top-scored with 53 from 42 deliveries, hitting six fours and a six. The pair added 87 runs for the second wicket, stabilising the innings after an early loss.
Gladiators accelerated sharply in the closing overs thanks to Hasan Nawaz, who smashed 39 off just 16 balls, including five towering sixes. His explosive stand of 47 runs with Rossouw shifted momentum firmly in Quetta’s favour.
A final flourish came from Jahandad Khan, whose unbeaten 21 off six balls featured two fours and two sixes, ensuring Gladiators crossed the 180 mark with 59 runs coming in the last four overs.
For Rawalpindiz, Ben Sears led the bowling effort with 3-41, while Mohammad Amir claimed 2-31.
In reply, Rawalpindiz’s chase never gained traction after captain Mohammad Rizwan was dismissed for a first-ball duck, triggering an early collapse that set the tone for another disappointing outing.
Daryl Mitchell (30 off 32) and Abdullah Fazal (20 off 19) attempted to rebuild with a 32-run stand, but regular wickets kept derailing the chase. A dramatic middle-order collapse saw Rawalpindiz lose three wickets without adding a run, effectively ending their hopes.
The only notable resistance came from Saad Masood, who struck 31 off 19 balls, including three sixes, but lacked support as wickets continued to tumble.
Gladiators’ bowlers shared the spoils, with Jahandad Khan (2-8) and Usman Tariq (2-23) leading the charge. In a surprise contribution, Shakeel also picked up 2-4 in a single over, dismantling the middle order, while Abrar Ahmed and Kashif Bhatti took one wicket each.
Rawalpindiz were eventually bowled out for 121 in 17.3 overs, falling well short of the target as their losing streak extended to five matches, raising concerns about their campaign. For Quetta, the convincing victory provided a much-needed boost, marking only their second win of the season.
Summarised scores
Quetta Gladiators 182-6 (20 overs)
Rilee Rossouw 53 (42), Saud Shakeel 42 (39), Hasan Nawaz 39 (16), Jahandad Khan 21* (6); Ben Sears 3-41 in four overs, Mohammad Amir (2-31 in 4 overs)
Rawalpindiz 121 all out (17.3 overs)
Saad Masood 31 (19), Daryl Mitchell 30 (32), Jahandad Khan (2-8 in 2.3)Usman Tariq 2-23 in four overs, Saud Shakeel 2-4 in one over
Result: Quetta Gladiators won by 61 runs
Rilee Rossouw (Player of the match)
