Gladiators defeat Qalandars in low-scoring thriller

DUBAI: Quetta Gladiators have defeated Lahore Qalandars by 8 runs in an exciting low scoring match of Pakistan Super League to start of their campaign on a winning note.

Qalandars were bowled out for mere 128 runs in reply to Quetta’s total of 136.

Chasing a target of 137 runs, Lahore Qalandars went off to a flying start with Jason Roy and captain Brendon McCullum scored 34 for the first wicket in less than three overs. However, both the openers were removed in span of 10 deliveries.

Two back to back wickets pushed Lahore Qalandars to press the panic button and they started losing wickets at regular intervals. Fakhr Zaman scored 11, Rizwan scored 5, Sohail Tanvir scored 5 and Umar Akmal returned back to dug out without opening his account.

Grant Elliot and Sunil Narine showed some resistance, but both couldn’t do enough to help Lahore chase the target.

Sunil Smashed three sixes for his 15-ball-25 while Grant Elliot made 26 off 30 deliveries.

For Quetta, Zulfiqar Babar, Mohammad Nawaz and Hasan Khan got two wickets apiece.

Earlier, disciplined bowling by Qalandar trio of Mohammad Irfan, Sunil Narine and Sohail Tanvir restricted Quetta Gladiators for 136/9 in 20 overs.

Rilee Rossouw was the only Quetta batsman who looked defiant against Lahore’s bowling. Rossouw smashed two shots over the boundary and three to the fence for his 47-ball-60.

Asad Shafiq scored 29 off 28 deliveries while young Hasan Khan scored 16 off 11.  

Lahore’s emerging pick Mohammad Irfan junior got three wickets, including one of Kevin Pietersen. Sohail Tanvir and Sunil Narine got two wickets apiece.

The bowling figures of 2/24 also brought 250 T20 career wickets for Sohail Tanvir. He’s fifth Pakistani bowler to reach the milestone of 250 wickets in T20 cricket after Yasir Arafat, Saeed Ajmal, Azhar Mahmood and Shahid Afridi.

The second match of the day is being played between Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi.

The moment when a piece of Rossouw's bat almost caught the leg umpire off guard #PSL2017 #LQvQG #PSLonGeo https://t.co/HKiGcyXLIY pic.twitter.com/PGtQiBzD9o

— Geo News Sport (@geonews_sport) February 10, 2017

Head to head

The two teams clashed against each other twice in last season. Lahore Qalandars won the first encounter by 63 runs, while Quetta Gladiators were victorious in the second clash by 2 wickets.

In the spotlight

All eyes are on Brendon McCullum, one of the greatest batsmen in the shorter format of the game. Expectations are already running sky-high. Fresh off his explosive batting for Big Bash team Brisbane Heat, McCullum has already rung alarm bells for the rival bowlers. Lahore Qalandars will look to rally around him and dare to dream big under his bold and fearless leadership.

Another key player to look out for is Umar Akmal, who was PSL 2016’s highest scorer (average over 47). It will be nothing less than an adventure to see him and McCullum bat together.

Former Black Caps Grant Elliot and James Franklin will also be in action for the Lahore Qalandars. England’s opener Jason Roy and West Indies’ Sunil Narine are other welcome additions to the team.

For Quetta Gladiators, last season’s veterans Kevin Pietersen, Luke Wright and Ahmad Shehzad will be back in action under Sarfraz Ahmed’s captaincy. Some key overseas players include Sri Lanka’s Thisara Perera and South Africa’s Rilee Rossouw.

Squads

Lahore Qalandars: Brendon McCullum (captain), Sunil Narine, Umar Akmal, Yasir Shah, Sohail Tanvir, Cameron Delport, Mohammad Rizwan, Azhar Ali, Zafar Gohar, Grant Elliot, Fakhar Zaman, Bilawal Bhatti, Ghulam Mudassar, Aamir Yamin, Usman Qadir, Saif Badar, Jason Roy, Chris Green, James Franklin, Muhammad Irfan

Support staff: Aqib Javed (Director Cricket Operations), Paddy Upton (Coach), Brendon McCullum (Mentor), Shawn Bradstreet (Fielding Coach), Mudassar Nazar (Icon), Fawad Rana (Chairman), Atif Rana (Cheif Executive Officer), Sameen Rana (Cheif Operating Officer), H.E Sultan Bin Jassim Al Thani (Patron In Chief).

Quetta Gladiators: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Kevin Pietersen, Ahmad Shehzad, Luke Wright, Umar Gul, Anwar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Tymal Mills, Zulfiqar Babar, Saad Nasim, Umar Amin, Mohammad Nawaz, Mir Hamza, Hassan Khan, Noor Wali, Bismillah Khan, Thisara Perera, Rilee Rossouw, Nathan McCullum, Mahmudullah

Support staff: Sir Viv Richards (Team Mentor), Moin Khan (Head Coach), Azam Khan (Team Manager), Abdul Razzaq (Assistant/Bowling Coach).