Lahore Qalandars’ decision to bat first didn’t go as planned as they lost their star opener Fakhar Zaman to Akeal Hosein in the third over. However, Sahibzada Farhan and Rassie van der Dussen provided impetus, guiding their team to 43/1 by the end of the powerplay.
A promising 53-run partnership saw them reach 62/1 in 8.3 overs, but Quetta’s Abrar Ahmed broke the momentum by dismissing van der Dussen. Despite hopes resting on Farhan and Abdullah Shafique, the Qalandars managed 67/2 in 10 overs.
Shafique’s departure in the 14th over didn’t halt their progress as Sikandar Raza and Jahandad Khan built a 45-run stand, pushing the score to 140/4 by the 16th over. Contributions from Shaheen Shah Afridi and Carlos Brathwaite in the later overs propelled the Qalandars to a challenging total of 187/7.
In pursuit of 188, the Quetta Gladiators made a flying start with openers Jason Roy and Saud Shakeel leading to 61/0 at the powerplay’s conclusion. Zaman Khan’s precise yorker dismissed Shakeel, followed by Sikandar Raza’s googly scalping Roy. Losing both openers left the Gladiators at 79/2 after eight overs, injecting some nerves.
However, the middle order showed resolve, forging stable partnerships. Despite this, the dismissals of skipper Riley Rossouw and Sarfaraz Ahmed left them at 130/4 after 13.1 overs.
Nafay, you beauty! 💫
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 19, 2024
Quick off the blocks as he hammers two massive hits 💥#HBLPSL9 | #KhulKeKhel | #LQvQG pic.twitter.com/nKL3ZVOGMm
Khwaja Nafay and Sherfane Rutherford then guided the Gladiators to victory with a clinical 34-run partnership. Nafay’s impressive 60 off 31, complemented by Akeal Hosein’s nine runs, secured a five-wicket win over Lahore Qalandars.