Quetta Gladiators pulled off a thrilling 5-run victory against Karachi Kings in the 15th match of HBL PSL 10 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. In a tense, low-scoring contest, Quetta defended their total with great discipline and earned two important points in the tournament.
Karachi Kings Win the Toss and Choose to Field
Karachi Kings won the toss and opted to bowl first, aiming to restrict Quetta Gladiators to a low total. Their bowlers started strong, putting early pressure on Quetta’s top order. Quick wickets set Karachi in a commanding position during the powerplay.
Faheem Ashraf Leads Quetta’s Fightback
Despite early troubles, Quetta’s middle order fought back. Faheem Ashraf played a brilliant knock, scoring 43 runs off just 27 balls. His aggressive hitting provided the momentum Quetta needed. Kusal Mendis contributed 36 runs, while Hassan Nawaz added 35 vital runs to keep the scoreboard ticking.
However, Quetta could not build big partnerships and were bowled out for 142 runs in the final over. For Karachi Kings, Hasan Ali was the standout bowler with 3 wickets, while Mir Hamza and Abbas Afridi took 2 wickets each.
Karachi Kings’ Chase Falters Under Pressure
Chasing 143, Karachi Kings started confidently. Tim Seifert scored a steady 47 runs, and James Vince added 30 to lay a strong foundation. At one stage, Karachi seemed to be cruising toward victory with a required rate well under control.
But the game turned when Quetta’s bowlers struck back. Mohammad Amir, Khurram Shahzad, and Mohammad Wasim Jr. picked up two wickets each to trigger a middle-order collapse. Karachi lost wickets at crucial moments, which slowed down their chase.
Despite a late effort from Hasan Ali, who scored an unbeaten 24 off 13 balls, Karachi Kings could only manage 137 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in 20 overs, falling just 5 runs short.
Abrar Ahmed Shines with the Ball
Abrar Ahmed was a game-changer for Quetta Gladiators. He bowled with great control, taking 1 wicket for just 15 runs in his 4 overs. His tight spell during the middle overs made it hard for Karachi to accelerate, and he was rightly awarded the Player of the Match title.
Updated PSL 10 Points Table
This important win took Quetta Gladiators to 4 points on the PSL 10 points table, helping them stay in the playoff race. Karachi Kings, despite the loss, hold the second position with 6 points, but this defeat could impact their momentum in upcoming matches.
Quetta Gladiators showed tremendous fighting spirit to defend a modest total. Their bowlers kept their nerves in the final overs and capitalized on the pressure. Karachi Kings will be disappointed with their batting collapse, especially after building a solid start.
This match once again highlighted the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket. In PSL 10, no total seems too small, and no chase looks easy. Fans can expect even more thrilling finishes as the tournament moves forward.
