Tag: Quetta Gladiators

RAWALPINDI: The heavy rain in the city continued to play spoilsport as the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 9 match between Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United was washed out here at Pindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

As a result, both Gladiators and United shared a point each.

The 2019 champions solidified their grip on the second spot in the standings with nine points in six matches, just one shy of leaders Multan Sultans while the United remained fourth with five points in as many matches.

Quetta Gladiators next face Karachi Kings at the same venue on Wednesday while Islamabad United will lock horns with Peshawar Zalmi on Monday.

Earlier today, the persistent rain in the city washed out the first match between Lahore Qalandars and Zalmi as well.

Due to the constant downpours, the toss was delayed initially as covers were placed on the ground.

The rain stopped briefly, prompting efforts from the groundsmen to dry the ground, but the rain returned, ultimately leading to umpires deciding that no play could be possible.

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Lahore Qalandars gained their first point in the ongoing PSL 9 as they were awarded one point along with Peshawar Zalmi after their match was called off.

Notably, Lahore Qalandars, who are defending champions of the PSL, are currently lying at the bottom of the points table after suffering six consecutive losses.

They next face two-time champions United in an away clash in Wednesday’s doubleheader.

Meanwhile, Peshawar Zalmi are sitting in third position with seven points.

READ: Karachi Kings’ Hasan Ali confident of defeating Multan Sultans

KARACHI: Sherfane Rutherford displayed nerves of steel and steered Quetta Gladiators to a narrow victory over Karachi Kings in the 16th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 here at National Bank Stadium on Thursday.

Chasing 166, the Gladiators completed a tense pursuit on the final delivery when Rutherford struck Anwar Ali for a boundary at deep fine leg.

Earlier, Saud Shakeel and Jason Roy gave the Gladiators a solid start to the pursuit.

The opening stand yielded 57 runs and lasted on the last delivery of the batting powerplay when Hasan Ali got Saud caught at deep square leg. Saud scored an anchoring 24 off 20 deliveries, hitting four boundaries.

Gladiators’ mainstay Roy then stitched brief partnerships with Khawaja Nafay (2) and Sarfaraz Ahmed (3) before finally perishing in the 12th over, briefly after amassing his half-century.

Roy remained a notable contributor for the Gladiators in yet another PSL 9 fixture, scoring 52 off 31 deliveries with the help of two boundaries and four sixes.

The Gladiators then succumbed to further trouble when their skipper Rilee Rossouw perished in the next over after scoring a mere six.

Following the slump, Akeal Hosein and Sherfane Rutherford joined forces to produce a scintillating partnership and snatched a narrow victory for their side.

The pair batted sensibly and added an unbeaten 80 runs for the sixth wicket.

But the match-winning stand was majorly dominated by Rutherford, who top-scored for the Gladiators with a 31-ball 58, hitting one four and six sixes.

Hosein, however, made an important contribution with his 22 not out from 17 deliveries. His gutsy knock featured one boundary and a six.

For Karachi Kings, Hasan Ali and Zahid Mahmood bagged two wickets each while Shoaib Malik picked one.

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Put into bat first, the Kings got off to an unwanted start to their innings as they lost their captain Shan Masood (0) in the first over, bowled by Akeal Hosein.

But, their vice-captain James Vince partnered strongly with Tim Seifert and launched a counterattack.

The duo added a brisk 59-run stand and took Kings to 61/1 at the conclusion of the batting powerplay.

But Usman Tariq turned the game on its head in his first over by removing both set batters.

Seifert scored 21 off 11 deliveries with the help of two boundaries and a six while Vince top-scored for the Kings with a 25-ball 37 which featured eight boundaries.

Following the back-to-back dismissals, Mohammad Nawaz joined experienced Shoaib Malik in the middle and knitted a crucial partnership.

The pair added 39 runs for the fourth wicket until Abrar Ahmed dismissed Malik in the 13th over. He scored 12 off 20 deliveries.

Mohammad Nawaz, who dominated the fourth-wicket partnership with a brisk 28 fell in the next over. His 19-ball knock featured four boundaries.

Nawaz’s dismissal sparked a lower middle-order collapse as the Kings lost three more wickets — Kieron Pollard (13), Hasan Ali (2) and Muhammad Irfan Khan (15) — in quick succession and consequently slipped to 138/8 in 17.2 overs.

Veteran all-rounder Anwar Ali, however, offered late fireworks with an unbeaten cameo and bolstered Karachi Kings’ total to 165/8 in the allotted overs.

He smashed one four and two sixes on his way to a 14-ball 25.

Abrar Ahmed led the bowling attack for Quetta Gladiators with 3/31, followed by Akeal Hosein and Usman Tariq, who bagged two each. Pacer Sohail Khan, on the other hand, made one scalp.

The five-wicket victory solidified Quetta Gladiators’ command at the second spot in the PSL 9 standings with eight points in five matches while Karachi Kings remained at fifth with four points in as many matches.

READ: Hasan Ali becomes the second bowler to take 100 PSL wickets

KARACHI: Sherfane Rutherford displayed nerves of steel and steered Quetta Gladiators to a narrow victory over Karachi Kings in the 16th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 here at National Bank Stadium on Thursday.

QG 169/5 (20 Overs)

Anwar Ali to bowl the final over

QG 151/5 (19 Overs)

Hasan bowls the penultimate over

QG 141/5 (18 Overs)

Muzarabani bowls his last

QG 132/5 (17 Overs)

Hasan replaces Muzarabani

QG 122/5 (16 Overs)

Malik bowls his third

QG 110/5 (15 Overs)

Muzarabani comes back

QG 100/5 (14 Overs)

Malik continues

QG 95/5 (13 Overs)

12.1: Wrong’un fuller outside off, plenty of flight on offer, takes the bait and pulled away in the air, didn’t get all of it, Niazi at deep midwicket tracks the ball to perfection.

Zahid again

QG 89/4 (12 Overs)

11.5: Tossed up on off stump, looks to big down the ground, miscues the skier and Shoaib Malik takes an easy catch running to his right

Shoaib Malik comes into the attack

QG 87/3 (11 Overs)

Zahid continues

QG 83/3 (10 Overs)

9.4: It was another steamy bumper that strangled Sarfaraz on the leg, ruffled by the searing pace and bounce, and he gloved it behind.

Hasan brought back

QG 73/2 (9 Overs)

8.2: Zahid tossed fuller just outside off, Nafay got down on one knee for a wallop and got more elevation but just not enough distance and Irfan takes a good catch.

Zahid continues

QG 69/1 (8 Overs)

Nawaz replaces Hasan

QG 60/1 (7 Overs)

Zahid Mehmood comes on

QG 57/1 (6 Overs)

Hasan Ali comes into the attack

QG 48/0 (5 Overs)

Anwar Ali comes on

QG 38/0 (4 Overs)

Muzarabani continues

QG 34/0 (3 Overs)

Nawaz continues

QG 14/0 (2 Overs)

Blessing Muzarabani bowls from the other end

QG 7/0 (1 Over)

Jason Roy and Saud Shakeel come out to open the innings for the Gladiators. Mohammad Nawaz to bowl the first over.

KARACHI KINGS vs QUETTA GLADIATORS (2nd INNINGS)

KARACHI: Quetta Gladiators’ spinners shared seven wickets between them and halted Karachi Kings to 165/8 in the 16th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 here at National Bank Stadium on Thursday.

KK 165/8 (20 Overs)

Wasim Jr bowls the final over

KK 145/8 (19 Overs)

Sohail bowls the penultimate over

KK 142/8 (18 Overs)

17.2: Wasim Jr hammers it on a length and it’s veering at middle and leg, Irfan chipped in the air and it goes straight to Jason Roy at long-on.

Wasim Jr comes back into the attack

KK 137/7 (17 Overs)

16.3: Abrar bowls a fuller loopy delivery and Hasan sliced it in the air which was calmly taken by Hosein at point.

16.1: Good length and fractionally spun away from middle, Pollard stepped to the leg side and was looking to heave him over midwicket but missed the line and the ball hit the top of the middle.

Abrar comes for his last

KK 134/5 (16 Overs)

Hosein bowls his last

KK 120/5 (15 Overs)

Usman bowls his last

KK 114/5 (14 Overs)

Hosein comes back

KK 111/4 (13 Overs)

12.2: Abrar lures him with a loopy delivery! Malik prances down the track and tries to change gears, slugged in the air and pouched safely by Jason Roy at long-off.

Abrar replaces Usman

KK 103/3 (12 Overs)

Sohail Khan returns

KK 93/3 (11 Overs)

Usman again

KK 91/3 (10 Overs)

Wasim Jr replaces Abrar

KK 76/3 (9 Overs)

Usman continues

KK 71/3 (8 Overs)

Abrar replaces Wasim Jr

KK 64/3 (7 Overs)

6.6: Tossed up on middle with some drift and Vince fails to flick it away. The ball hits him plumb in front.

6.1: Over the wicket, tossed up right up to the pads on middle. Prolonged appeal for an lbw and umpire took his time before raising the dreaded finger.

More spin as Usman Tariq comes on

KK 61/1 (6 Overs)

Mohammad Wasim Jr comes into the attack

KK 53/1 (5 Overs)

Abrar Ahmed comes on

KK 40/1 (4 Overs)

Sohail continues

KK 25/1 (3 Overs)

Hosein continues

KK 11/1 (2 Overs)

Sohail Khan bowls from the other end

KK 3/1 (1 Over)

0.3: Lands it on a fuller length and gets a hint of wobble from the middle. Shan Masood stepped away to the on side and was looking to drive it on the up, bamboozled by the late movement and decent bounce.

Shan Masood and James Vince come out to open the innings for Karachi Kings. Akeal Hosein bowls the first over.

KARACHI KINGS vs QUETTA GLADIATORS (1st INNINGS)

KARACHI: Quetta Gladiators have won the toss and opted to field first against Karachi Kings in the 16th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 here at National Bank Stadium on Thursday.

PLAYING XIs

Karachi Kings: Shan Masood (c), Tim Seifert, James Vince, Shoaib Malik, Kieron Pollard, Mohammad Nawaz, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Anwar Ali, Hasan Ali, Zahid Mehmood, Blessing Muzarabani.

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Quetta Gladiators: Saud Shakeel, Jason Roy, Khawaja Nafay, Rilee Rossouw (c), Sarfaraz Ahmed, Sherfane Rutherford, Akeal Hosein, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Sohail Khan, Usman Tariq, Abrar Ahmed.

HEAD TO HEAD

Matches 16, Quetta Gladiators 11, Karachi Kings 5

READ: Openers propel Islamabad United to beat Karachi Kings in PSL 9

KARACHI: Quetta Gladiators have won the toss and opted to field first against Karachi Kings in the 16th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 here at National Bank Stadium on Thursday.

PLAYING XIs

Karachi Kings: Shan Masood (c), Tim Seifert, James Vince, Shoaib Malik, Kieron Pollard, Mohammad Nawaz, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Anwar Ali, Hasan Ali, Zahid Mehmood, Blessing Muzarabani.

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Quetta Gladiators: Saud Shakeel, Jason Roy, Khawaja Nafay, Rilee Rossouw (c), Sarfaraz Ahmed, Sherfane Rutherford, Akeal Hosein, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Sohail Khan, Usman Tariq, Abrar Ahmed.

HEAD TO HEAD

Matches 16, Quetta Gladiators 11, Karachi Kings 5

READ: Openers propel Islamabad United to beat Karachi Kings in PSL 9

Quetta Gladiators’ pace bowler Mohammad Amir has praised Peshawar Zalmi’s captain Babar Azam for his batting prowess in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 9.

While talking to the media in Karachi, Amir said that there is no ‘enmity’ with the star batter and that previous criticism was only based on performance.

“I have no enmity with Babar [Azam]. He played brilliantly against Islamabad United and his century was commendable for his shot selection,” said Mohammad Amir.

He also expressed his best wishes to the right-handed batter to replicate his current form in the national team as well.

“I hope that he replicates the same kind of performance in the Pakistan team as well,” he added.

Upon being asked about his international return, he denied any possibility of him coming out of retirement.

“I have no plans on returning to the national team. I am playing PSL at the moment and currently, my sole focus is on giving my best in PSL,” the left-arm bowler added.

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Amir also acknowledged the importance of four-day cricket for young cricketers and commented that players should not be selected on PSL performance.

“Young players should play more four-day cricket to enhance their skills. PCB should attract young players to the longer format with lucrative contracts,” Amir said. “Players should not only be selected over their performance in PSL.”

Amir also commented on former Quetta Gladiators’ captain Sarfaraz Ahmed’s role in the team after his removal as captain.

“Sarfaraz [Ahmed] has served this team for eight years, which is a long time. He is still being treated in the same way and the captain takes his advice.”

Quetta Gladiators are currently sitting at the second spot in the points table of PSL 9 after winning three out of four matches.

READ: India’s Jaiswal, Gill rise in ICC Test Batting Rankings following England series win

LAHORE: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Quetta Gladiators on Sunday, provided an update regarding their wicketkeeper batter Sarfaraz Ahmed’s injury.

According to the details, Sarfaraz was hit on his head during his side’s PSL 9 clash against home side Multan Sultans.

The incident occurred in the final over of the Sultans’ innings when Mohammad Wasim Jr took a well-judged catch of Reeza Hendricks at deep midwicket.

The fielder celebrated by throwing the ball up in the air and it hit Sarfaraz Ahmed on its way back. Notably, the wicketkeeper did not have his helmet on then and consequently had to leave the field.

Mohammad Sajjad Ali kept the wickets for the remainder of the innings and was later named as Sarfaraz’s concussion replacement.

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Considering the severity of the injury, Sarfaraz Ahmed was taken to a local hospital here and underwent CT Scan.

Meanwhile, according to the Gladiators, Sarfaraz’s scans came out satisfactory and the former captain will accompany his teammates, who will travel to Karachi for the second Leg of the ongoing PSL 9.

🚨 Injury update 🚨@SarfarazA_54 is feeling better now as he is on the road to recovery.#PurpleForce, we appreciate your love & best wishes for our Gladiator. #HBLPSL9 pic.twitter.com/apiSaAkQe0

— Quetta Gladiators (@TeamQuetta) February 25, 2024

2019 champions Quetta Gladiators are placed second in the PSL 9 standings with six points in four matches.

Quetta Gladiators had a dream start to their PSL 9 campaign, winning three matches on the trot but Multan Sultans ended their winning streak on Sunday to remain at the summit of the points table.

The former champions next face hosts Karachi Kings on Thursday, February 29 at the iconic National Bank Cricket Stadium.

READ: Lahore Qalandars’ Haris Rauf ruled out of PSL 9

MULTAN: Mohammad Rizwan and Reeza Hendricks’ half-centuries, followed by a combined bowling effort powered Multan Sultans to defeat Quetta Gladiators in the 11th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 here at Multan Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

With this 13-run victory, Multan Sultans solidified their position at the top of the points table while handing Quetta Gladiators their first loss in PSL 9.

While chasing a mammoth 181, Quetta Gladiators had a slow start and lost Jason Roy in the third over with a mere 16 runs on the board.

Saud Shakeel played an entertaining 24-run knock from 13 balls, which featured four boundaries and one six before David Willey sent him back to the pavilion.

Skipper Rilee Rossouw joined Khawaja Nafay on the crease and powered Quetta Gladiators to make a comeback with a 62-run stand in just 38 balls.

Rossouw played a quick knock of 30 runs from 18 balls which included two sixes and a boundary but fell to Aftab Ibrahim as Khushdil Shah pouches a low catch.

This proved to be the turning point as Multan Sultans’ bowlers picked timely wickets to deny Quetta Gladiators’ comeback.

Nafay played a 36-run knock from 31 balls with the help of two boundaries and as many sixes before perishing in the 15th over with 124 runs on the board.

Sherfane Rutherford smashed two sixes during his cameo of 21 runs from 14 balls, while Akeal Hosein remained unbeaten with 9 off 13.

With 23 needed off the final over, Quetta Gladiators managed only nine runs, finishing with 167-9 as Abrar Ahmed (12) got out on the final ball.

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Mohammad Ali and Willey claimed bowling figures of 3-19 and 3-37 respectively for Multan Sultans while Aftab Ibrahim managed two scalps.

Quetta Gladiators opted to field first but could not get the desired start as Usman Khan smashed 14 runs from the first over of Akeal Hosein.

Abrar Ahmed ended Khan’s brief stay in the third over after the batter scored 14 off seven, which brought Hendricks out to join Rizwan at the crease.

The two experienced batters constructed an anchoring partnership of 79 runs from 62 balls to put the pressure on Quetta Gladiators, pushing the team’s total to 101 inside 14 overs.

Rizwan smashed four sixes and two boundaries on his way to 51 off 42 before he attempted to hit one to Hosein but the ball ballooned up and Saud Shakeel caught it safely at deep mid-wicket.

Hendricks, who was playing steadily until then, switched gears after Rizwan’s dismissal and knitted a quick 77-run partnership for the third wicket with Tayyab Tahir.

Hendricks top-scored for the Sultans with 72 runs from 47 balls with the help of 11 boundaries including four sixes.

Mohammad Amir got the prized scalp of Hendricks with Mohammad Wasim pouching him at deep midwicket in the final over.

Meanwhile, Tahir remained unbeaten with a 22-ball cameo of 32 runs which featured four boundaries and one six.

Amir topped the bowling charts for Quetta Gladiators with the figures of 2-46, while Ahmed and Hosein claimed one wicket each.

READ: Lahore Qalandars’ Haris Rauf ruled out of PSL 9

MULTAN: Quetta Gladiators have won the toss and elected to field first against Multan Sultans in the 11th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 here at Multan Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

PLAYING XIs

Multan Sultans: Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Usman Khan, Reeza Hendricks, Tayyab Tahir, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, David Willey, Usama Mir, Aftab Ibrahim, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali

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Quetta Gladiators: Jason Roy, Saud Shakeel, Khawaja Nafay, Rilee Rossouw (c), Sarfaraz Ahmed, Sherfane Rutherford, Akeal Hosein, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Usman Tariq, Mohammad Amir, Abrar Ahmed

HEAD TO HEAD

Matches 11, Multan Sultan 7, Quetta Gladiators 4

READ: Mir Hamza credits team effort for victory over Lahore Qalandars

Islamabad United’s captain Shadab Khan blamed the technology for his side’s thrilling loss against Quetta Gladiators during the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9.

Rilee Rossouw, the captain of Quetta Gladiators, scored a gutsy 34 after a combined bowling effort to guide his side to a narrow three-wicket victory after he got a second life courtesy of a controversial DRS decision.

Set to chase 139 runs, Gladiators were cruising comfortably towards the target when Rossouw attempted to sweep Agha Salman on the last ball of the 11th over.

However, he missed the ball completely as it thudded his pads, prompting a strong appeal from the fielding side and it was given out by umpire Aleem Dar.

Gladiators reviewed the decision and got the decision reversed as the Hawk-Eye showed that the ball had struck Rossouw outside the line of the stumps and would have missed the off stump.

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Rossouw went on to carry his bat all the way through with an unbeaten 34 off 38 to guide his team to their third consecutive victory in the PSL 9.

Shadab Khan expressed his frustration over the decision after the match and blamed it for their loss.

“I think technology was at fault for this loss. We were shown a different ball as to the review (the review of Rossouw),” Khan said.

“I bowled 4 overs as a leg spinner, it wasn’t turning much. This one showed impact outside off and spinning away further. In a big tournament like this, there shouldn’t be such mistakes,” he added.

Notably, Islamabad United kicked off their PSL 9 campaign with a win against Lahore Qalandars in the opening match but lost their next two games and are placed in third position in the points table.

READ: England’s Rehan Ahmed leaves India tour for ‘personal reasons’

Former West Indies batting icon and mentor of Quetta Gladiators Sir Vivian Richards expressed high hopes for wicketkeeper batter Sarfaraz Ahmed to ‘prove his worth’ in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9.

Richards, while interacting with the media after joining the Gladiators’ camp ahead of their campaign opener against Peshawar Zalmi, commented on a shift in the 2019 champions’ leadership and asserted that it would ease the pressure from Sarfaraz.

“I’m a big fan of Sarfaraz Ahmed. I’m sure the appointment of a new captain will take the pressure off Sarfaraz. I have asked him to prove his worth with the bat in PSL 9,” stated Richards.

The legend of the game also acknowledged the team’s recent struggles and termed the change a need of the hour.

“Quetta has not been able to do well over the past few years which is why the changes could be good for the side. I think we have formed a good team for PSL 9,” he said.

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Sir Vivian Richards also commented on the “classy” inclusion of Mohammad Amir to Quetta Gladiators and showered praise on the experienced left-arm pacer.

“I have always praised Mohammad Amir and I’m happy to see him play for Quetta Gladiators. Amir will be a classy inclusion for Quetta,” Richards said.

The Gladiators’ mentor, however, refrained from drawing a comparison between Amir and Naseem Shah’s pace and instead emphasized on experience the former possesses.

“I don’t know if Amir will have pace similar to Naseem Shah but we are happy that an experienced player is part of the side,” he further added.

It is worth mentioning here that Quetta Gladiators will play under a new captain this season as Rilee Rossouw took the reigns from Sarfaraz Ahmed, who led the side for eight seasons.

READ: Hasaranga claims Sri Lanka has ‘one of the best bowling’ attacks in world