Guptill’s blistering 56-ball 86 stormed Gladiators to four-wicket victory

Monitoring Desk

RAWALPINDI: Martin Guptill’s blistering 56-ball 86 stormed Quetta Gladiators to four-wicket victory in the 22nd match of the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at Pindi Cricket Stadium on Monday.

QUETTA GLADIATORS’ INNINGS

Chasing a target of 165, the Gladiators were facing mounting pressure as they were five down for 63. But it was a scintillating partnership between Martin Guptill and Sarfaraz Ahmed that changed the pose of the match. Martin Guptil’s quick-fire innings of 86 runs proved instrumental.

Across 57 balls, Guptill and Sarfaraz scored 95. In his unconquered knock, Martin Guptill smoked nine fours and four sixes.

Mohammad Nawaz was undone on 14-ball 15, smashing three boundaries.

Sarfaraz Ahmed played a useful knock, smashing 25-ball 29, hitting one boundary.

Dwaine Pretorius remained unbeaten on 3-ball 10, clobbering two fours.

Iftikhar Ahmed (4), Najibullah Zadran (1), Umar Akmal (9) and Omair Yousuf failed to show any significant resistance.

Tabraiz Shamsi spearheaded his side with the bowl, bagging two wickets and merely conceded two wickets.

Aamer Yamin (1-21), Muhammad Musa (1-44) and James Fuller (1-38) took a scalp each.

Mohammad Amir (0-37) and Imad Wasim (0-6) remained wicketless

KARACHI KINGS’ INNINGS

The Kings were four down for 78. But it was Rossington, who took his team out of the doldrums. Rossington smashed 10 fours and a six in 45 balls to score 69.

This was not the first time, Kings’ skipper Imad Wasim showed intent with the bat, smoking unconquered 20-ball 30, clobbering three fours and a six.

Aamer Yamin added his value with the bat, scoring unbeaten 11-ball 23, whacking a boundary and two sixes.

Adam Rossington’s fiery 45-ball 69 powered Karachi Kings to 164-6 against Quetta Gladiators in the marquee tournament.

Matthew Wade (0), Tayyab Tahir (7), Qasim Akram (8) and James Fuller (5) failed to show any significant resistance.

Naseem Shah (2-31) and Aimal Khan (2-26) were exceptional with the bowl and bagged two wickets apiece.

Mohammad Nawaz was brilliant with the bowl, scooping up a wicket by conceding merely 22. Naveen also picked up a wicket, but went for 43.

Dwaine Pretorius (0-39) remained wicketless.

TOSS

Quetta Gladiators opted to field first against Karachi Kings in the domestic premium tournament.

Karachi Kings

Adam Rossington (wk), Tayyab Tahir, Shoaib Malik, Qasim Akram, Matthew Wade, Imad Wasim (c), James Fuller, Aamer Yamin, Musa Khan, Mohammad Amir, Tabraiz Shamsi

Quetta Gladiators

Martin Guptill, Omair Yousuf, Sarfaraz Ahmed (c & wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nawaz, Umar Akmal, Dwaine Pretorius, Naseem Shah, Naveen-ul-Haq