Sherfane Rutherford’s unbeaten and quickfire 31-ball 58 and Jason Roy’s enterprising 31-ball 52 powered Quetta Gladiators to a five-wicket victory against Karachi Kings in the 16th match of the ninth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in Karachi on Thursday.
QUETTA GLADIATORS' INNINGS
Chasing a target of 166, Sherfane Rutherford swept past the Gladiators against the Kings in the last ball of the final over, delivered by Anwar Ali. Rutherford whacked Anwar Ali for two sixes before the latter bounced back for the next two deliveries.
But it was Rutherford who held his nerves till the final delivery and ensured the Gladiators cruised to victory against the home side.
The Gladiators were off to a fiery start, courtesy of Jason Roy’s whirlwind knock and Saud Shakeel’s cautious 24-ball 20, lacing with four boundaries. Shakeel was removed by Hasan Ali.
The Englishman was looking in sublime form, before he was caught and ball by experienced Shoaib Malik on 52-ball 31. Roy crossed two boundaries and four sixes.
With the fall of Shakeel, the Kings bowlers started to apply coup de grace against the Gladiators’ batters. The Gladiators lost four more wickets by scoring just 32.
But the West Indian duo, Akeal Hosein and Sherfane Rutherford, had other plans, and they racked up an unbeaten 47-ball 80 to dash Karachi's hopes.
For the Gladiators, Zahid Mahmood (2-17) was outstanding in his first outing in the PSL 9, scooping up two wickets by merely conceding 17 runs.
Hasan Ali (2-39) grabbed two wickets.
Mohammad Nawaz (0-36), Blessing Muzarabani (0-30), and Anwar Ali (0-28) remained wicketless.
KARACHI KINGS' INNINGS
After put into bat, James Vince’s brilliant 25-ball 37 and Anwar Ali’s quickfire 14-ball 25 powered the Kings to 165-8 against the Gladiators.
The home side were off to a jittery start, with skipper Shan Masood continuing to struggle and being flummoxed by Akeal Hosein on 3-ball 2.
But it was a 59-run stand between experienced hands James Vince and Tim Seifert. It was the “mystery” spinner, Usman Tariq, who trapped both Seifert (21) and Vince.
In his 11-ball 21, Seifert smashed two boundaries and one six. James Vince clobbered eight boundaries in his 25-ball 37.
Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Nawaz tried to rebound the Kings’ innings and went on to rack up a partnership of 39 runs off 32 deliveries.
Abrar Ahmed removed Malik, who had a tough outing with the bat, scoring 20-ball 12.
Mohammad Nawaz looked good for his 19-ball 28, smashing four boundaries, before he was removed by Hosein.
Kieron Pollard was once again looking to treat the bowlers with utter contempt, but Abrar Ahmed had a plan against Pollard. Abrar befuddled Pollard on 10-ball 13.
But the experienced Anwar Ali had proved his mettle by scoring an unbeaten 14-ball 25 and studding with one boundary and two sixes.
Zahid Mahmood scored a 6-ball 3.
For the Gladiators, Abrar Ahmed (3-31) had scooped up three wickets.
Usman Tariq (2-16) and Akeal Hosein (2-34) took two wickets apiece.
Mohammad Wasim (1-46) went for 46 runs but took a scalp.
PLAYER OF MATCH
Sherfane Rutherford bagged the player of the match award.
TOSS
Quetta Gladiators had elected to play first against Karachi Kings.
Karachi Kings: Shan Masood (c), Tim Seifert (wk), James Vince, Shoaib Malik, Kieron Pollard, Mohammad Nawaz, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Anwar Ali, Hasan Ali, Zahid Mehmood, Blessing Muzarabani
Quetta Gladiators: Jason Roy, Saud Shakeel, Khawaja Nafay, Rilee Rossouw (c), Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Sherfane Rutherford, Akeal Hosein, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sohail Khan, Usman Tariq, Abrar Ahmed
