LAHORE, MAR 29: Shamyl Hussain and Hassan Nawaz struck composed fifties as Quetta Gladiators posted a fighting total of 174/8 against Hyderabad Kingsmen in their second Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 match at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.
Batting first, the Gladiators notched up 174-8 in their allotted 20 overs after going off to a decent start as their openers, skipper Saud and Shamyl, began adding runs from the outset.
However, Riley Meredith struck on the final delivery of the second over, dismissing Saud after he had scored a run-a-ball four, giving his side the early advantage as the Gladiators were reduced to 21-1.
In the fourth over, Meredith struck again, providing another crucial breakthrough by dismissing Rilee Rossouw for a five-ball duck.
Shamyl Hussain then joined forces with Hassan Nawaz, as the pair aimed to stabilise the innings, taking the team past the 50-run mark.
Discover more
Weather
Geo News App
Live TV streaming package
Their partnership of 50 runs eased the pressure, allowing them to score at regular intervals and put pressure on the Kingsmen’s bowling attack.
Shamyl was in fine form, raising his bat for back-to-back fifties in PSL 11. However, the 89-run stand was broken when Meredith struck yet again, dismissing Shamyl Hussain after an exceptional knock of 54 off 41 balls, which included three fours and three sixes.
Hassan continued to pile on the runs, reaching his fourth PSL fifty, with Khawaja Nafay joining him at the crease.
However, Maheesh Theekshana turned the game with his bowling in the 15th over, claiming two quick wickets. He dismissed Nafay for six off four deliveries, including one four, and followed it up by sending wicketkeeper-batter Ben McDermott back to the pavilion for a duck.
Tom Curran smashed boundaries in the final overs of the powerplay, helping his team’s total soar past the 150-run mark.
Akif Javed bowled the final over, claiming two crucial wickets—first dismissing Curran for 31 off 18 balls, which included one four and three sixes, and then removing Alzarri Joseph for a duck.
Abrar Ahmed came to the crease and hit back-to-back fours, taking a single on the final delivery to finish unbeaten on nine off three balls, while Ahmed Daniyal contributed 6 runs off 8 deliveries.
