Quetta’s strategic choice to field first paid dividends as they swiftly removed Karachi skipper Shan Masood in the opening over. Despite the early setback, Tim Seifert and James Vince steadied Quetta’s innings with a solid partnership of 59 runs, guiding their team to 61/1 by the conclusion of the powerplay.
However, Usman Tariq intervened, breaking the partnership by dismissing Seifert in the seventh over, providing a crucial breakthrough for his team. Karachi’s troubles persisted as Usman struck again, removing Vince in the same over. With Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Nawaz at the crease, Karachi reached 91/3 after ten overs.
Quetta’s bowling unit regained momentum, dismissing Nawaz and Malik, disrupting the 39-run partnership and eventually reducing Karachi to 120/5 by the fifteenth over. However, Anwar Ali’s explosive cameo, scoring 25 runs off just 14 balls, propelled Karachi to a competitive total of 165/8 by the end of their innings.
In response, the Quetta Gladiators’ batting got off to a flying start as opener Jason Roy and Saud Shakeel dominated the powerplay, reaching 57/1 before Shakeel departed just as the field restrictions eased. However, Karachi’s middle order stumbled under pressure due to exceptional bowling, notably by Zahid Mahmood and Hasan Ali, who both claimed two wickets each, reducing Quetta to 95/5 by the 13th over.
The Gladiators’ innings gained momentum again, thanks to Sherfane Rutherford and Akeal Hosein, guiding their team to 132/5 by the 17th over. Rutherford then took charge, smashing a flurry of sixes against Blessing Muzarabani and Hasan Ali, igniting hopes for his team’s victory.
— Shanaka Kundu (@KunduShanaka) February 29, 2024
6️⃣ HITTING PARTY IN KARACHI 💥
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 29, 2024
Sherfane Rutherford is smashing them into the stands 🚀#HBLPSL9 | #KhulKeKhel | #KKvQG pic.twitter.com/N5UNsfqPKy
The 25-year-old Guyanese batsman displayed a strike rate of 180, forming a crucial 61-run partnership with Hosein. He reached his fifty off just 27 balls, setting up the task of chasing down 15 runs off the final over. Despite suspense lingering until the last delivery, including a six at the start of the over, the composed attitude of the duo guided their team to a thrilling five-wicket victory over the Kings.