Quetta Gladiators Seal Playoff Spot with Last-Ball Thriller Against Lahore Qalandars! | © PSL (PCB)
Karachi Kings Roared as Quetta Gladiators secured a dramatic last-ball victory over Lahore Qalandars at the National Bank Stadium on Sunday night. This win propels Quetta into the much-anticipated HBL PSL 9 playoffs!
Lahore Sets a Target of 167
Lahore Qalandars, opting to bat first, got off to a decent start with contributions from Sahibzada Farhan and Mirza Tahir Baig. However, Abrar Ahmed’s introduction in the sixth over proved pivotal. He dismissed both openers within three deliveries, restricting Lahore to 39-2 by the powerplay.
Abdullah Shafique and Shaheen Shah Afridi then stitched together a crucial 91-run partnership, stabilizing the innings. Shaheen, showcasing his power-hitting prowess, smashed three sixes in the 15th over and followed it up with two more in the 16th. He notched up his second HBL PSL fifty along the way. Abdullah also reached his second consecutive half-century with a six in the 18th over.
Lahore finished with a competitive total of 166-4, with Abrar Ahmed picking up two wickets and Amir and Wasim chipping in with one each.
Saud Shakeel Shines for Quetta
Jason Roy and Saud Shakeel provided Quetta Gladiators with a solid opening stand of 39 runs. However, Jahandad Khan provided the breakthrough in the sixth over, dismissing Roy. Captain Rilee Rossouw joined Saud for a brief partnership but fell soon after, becoming the first foreign batter to reach 2000 HBL PSL runs.
The responsibility then fell on the shoulders of Saud Shakeel and Khawaja Nafay. They built a patient 70-run stand, bringing Quetta back into control. Saud reached his second HBL PSL 9 fifty, anchoring the chase.
A Tense Finish
Shaheen Shah Afridi broke the crucial partnership by dismissing Nafay in the 18th over. Quetta needed 29 runs from the final two overs, with Saud and Laurie Evans at the crease. Jahandad conceded 15 runs in the penultimate over, leaving Quetta needing 14 from the last six deliveries.
The drama unfolded in the final over. Shaheen removed Evans with a brilliant catch taken by Tahir. However, the determined Saud smashed two consecutive boundaries, bringing the equation down to four needed off the last ball.
In a moment of pure excitement, Wasim, the new batsman, smashed a six over the ropes, sealing a thrilling victory for Quetta Gladiators! Saud remained unbeaten on 88 brilliant runs, rightfully earning the Player of the Match award.
This win marks Quetta Gladiators’ return to the playoffs for the first time since 2019. They’ll be looking to continue their winning momentum in the upcoming stages!
