PSL 9 : Quetta Gladiators beat Lahore Qalandars by five wickets

Khawaja Nafay exhibited an impressive batting display that propelled Quetta Gladiators to a victory over Lahore Qalandars by five wickets in the fourth game of the Pakistan Super League’s ninth season (PSL 9) at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore on Monday.

Nafay knocked an unbeaten 60 from 31 deliveries, while Saud Shakil contributed 40 runs, enabling the Gladiators to surpass the 188-run target with five balls to spare. Opener Jason Roy added 24 runs to the total.

Earlier in the day, Shaheen Afridi opted to bat first after winning the toss against Quetta Gladiators. Sahibzada Farhan delivered a notable innings for the Qalandars with 62 runs from 43 balls, setting a solid foundation for his team despite a lackluster performance by Fakhar Zaman, who exited with 6 runs.

Following the dismissals of Rassie van der Dussen and Rassie van der Dussen in quick succession, Jahandad Khan composed a steady 45 not out, aiding his team in establishing a challenging score of 187 runs for the Gladiators to chase. The defending champions faced defeat despite the earlier addition of all-rounders Sikandar Raza, a Pakistani-Zimbabwean, and West Indian Carlos Brathwaite to their roster.

Sikandar, known for his all-round skills and dynamic presence on the field, joins Lahore Qalandars with a wealth of experience. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball adds a valuable dimension to the team’s strategy. He is part of Qalandars’ core and was retained in their roster but missed the opening game due to prior commitments in ILT20, which concluded on February 17 in Dubai,” the Qalandars said in a press release.

“Carlos Brathwaite, a T20 specialist and a renowned power-hitter, brings his explosive batting prowess and strategic bowling to the Lahore Qalandars lineup. He has been called up to strengthen the Qalandars’ bench.

“Both players are set to be available for the entire tournament, starting today, adding depth and international flair to Lahore Qalandars’ quest for glory.

“The team’s management expresses confidence in the newly acquired talent and believes their addition will play a pivotal role in the squad’s success.