Martin Guptill helps Quetta Gladiators win against Karachi Kingsc
On Saturday, Quetta Gladiators beat Karachi Kings by six runs in the sixth match of the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at the National Bank Cricket Arena, Karachi.
It was Quetta’s first victory in the tournament. Whereas Karachi have now lost three games in a row.
Chasing a target of 169 carries, Karachi were limited to 162-5 in their 20 overs allowed.
Kings all-rounder Shoaib Malik went undefeated on 71 points on 49 balls but was unable to get his team across the line. His innings included eight fours and a six.
Meanwhile, Irfan Khan was not out on 37 runs on 26 balls with the help of a four and three max.
Karachi got off to a bad start for the chase after three quick wickets. Sharjeel Khan and Haider Ali were both dismissed for a duck, while James Vince, who briefly appeared in control, could score just 22 runs from 14 balls.
Malik and Irfan threatened to chase the target, after adding 86 runs on 54 balls for the sixth wicket, but Quetta bowlers, particularly Naseem Shah and Mohammad Hasnain, kept their cool in the dead to make sure that their team would end up winning the game. .
Hasnain was the bowlers’ pick with numbers of 2-29 in four overs. Meanwhile, Naseem, Qais Ahmad and Mohammad Nawaz claimed one wicket each.
Earlier, fly-half Martin Guptill scored a ton as Quetta Gladiators recovered against Karachi Kings after losing quick wickets.
Quetta went 168-7 in 20 overs after being asked to strike first by Karachi.
Guptill hit pacer Andrew Tye for 30 runs in the 19th over innings to reach his century.
The New Zealand cricketer scored 117 runs on 67 balls, assisted by 12 fours and five sixes, and was dismissed on the last ball of the innings.
Quetta was in shock after Karachi captain Imad Wasim recorded an impressive 3-16 in four overs which included wickets from Jason Roy, Abdul Bangalzai and Umar Akmal.
Iftikhar Ahmed was Quetta’s second-highest innings scorer after scoring 32 runs on 27 balls.
Pacer Aamer Yamin also claimed 3-37 in four overs.
Play XIs
Quetta Gladiators: Jason Roy, Martin Guptill, Abdul Bangalzai, Sarfaraz Ahmed (w/c), Umar Akmal, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Odean Smith, Qais Ahmad, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain
Kings of Karachi: Sharjeel Khan, James Vince, Haider Ali, Matthew Wade (w), Irfan Khan, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim (c), Aamer Yamin, Andrew Tye, Mohammad Amir, Imran Tahir.