Gladiators cruise to victory against Qalandars in one-sided match

DUBAI: Quetta Gladiators won by nine wickets against Lahore Qalandars in their second match of the tournament held at the Dubai International Stadium on Saturday.

Muhammad Nawaz and Jofra Archer played their vital role in bringing victory for the Gladiators.

Nawaz bowled the most economical spell in the Pakistan Super League's history. His bowling stats tonight were: two wickets in four overs with one maiden while giving only four runs. Archer took three wickets in his four-over quota.

Speaking in the post-match presentation, Nawaz said: "my plan was to not give any room to the batsmen and maintain a good line and length. I want to take best bowling award in this PSL."

Gladiators openers, Asad Shafiq and Shane Watson, left no stone unturned to dominate the match in every single over during their batting innings. 

Where Watson took the charge, Shafiq assisted him in frequently rotating the strike. The partnership between the duo ended on the 11.4 overs when the team score was on 92 runs. 

Watson (66) was bold by Sunil Narine. He scored five fours and sixes each. 

First innings

Qalandars lost their first wicket on 46 runs, Sunil Narine who scored 28 runs off 10 balls departed after he tried to slog a short ball but ended in the safe hands of Anwar Ali over point.  

Fast bowler Jofra Archer turned the game in favour of the Gladiators, with his wicket of the in-form batsman Fakhar Zaman. The Champions Trophy hero for Pakistan left the crease after scoring only one run.

A good review by Sarfraz Ahmed on the bowl of Muhammad Nawaz gifted Gladiators prize wicket of Skipper Brendon Mccullum. The skipper who had hit two sixes and three fours departed on 30 off 18.

The next to leave the crease was Cameron Delport. The South African batsman had hit two successive sixes, bringing a sigh of relief in the Rana Fawwad's camp, but it didn't last quite long as in a bid to hit six over mid-wicket, he was caught by Anwar Ali on Muhammad Nawaz's bowl.

An arm ball by Hasan Khan was too good for senior batsman Umar Akmal to handle. Umpire immediately raised finger but Akmal chose to review. What appeared to be a clear lbw was confirmed by the third umpires that indeed it was. Akmal had no choice but to leave the crease.

Raza Hasan threw his wicket by a run out after scoring only four runs.

A magnificent catch by Hasan Khan at long-on ended innings of Wicketkeeper-batsman Gulraiz Sadaf, who scored 13 off 31.

Yasir Shah was caught behind on the 16.5 overs of the game.