Pakistan Super League 2024

'Kya fayda itni acchi team ka' - Fans react as Quetta Gladiators defeat Lahore Qalandars by 5 wickets in PSL 9

With this loss, the defending champions have now lost two games in a row whereas Quetta Gladiators have won two games in a row. In addition to this, this is also the first time when Quetta Gladiators have defeated Lahore Qalandars in the history of PSL.

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Mathew K
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Quetta Gladiators (Source: Twitter)

The fourth match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 9 saw the defending champions, Lahore Qalandars go down against Quetta Gladiators by five wickets at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on February 19. With this loss, the defending champions have now lost two games in a row whereas Quetta Gladiators have won two games in a row. In addition to this, this is also the first time when Quetta Gladiators have defeated Lahore Qalandars in the history of PSL.

Earlier, the Qalandars’ skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi won the toss and decided to bat first at the batting-friendly pitch of the Gaddafi Stadium. In their innings, Lahore Qalandars set a respectable total of 187 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Opener Shahibzada Farhan emerged as a star with a crucial half-century, scoring 62 runs off 43 balls, including 6 fours and 3 sixes.

Another notable highlight was Jahandad Khan's fiery knock, contributing 45 runs off just 17 balls, featuring 3 fours and 4 sixes. Quetta Gladiators' bowling attack saw Akeal Hosein and Mohammad Hasnain each taking 2 wickets. Additionally, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Wasim, and Abrar Ahmed contributed with one wicket each.

Quetta Gladiators have gone on to the top of the PSL 9 points table

The target of 187 runs seemed easily achievable for Quetta Gladiators on the flat pitch. Opening batters Saud Shakeel and Jason Roy laid a solid foundation with a 69-run partnership. Khawaja Nafay then took charge and played a remarkable innings, steering his team towards victory despite facing a formidable bowling attack from Lahore Qalandars, which included Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Salman Fayyaz, Sikander Raza, and Zaman Khan, each picking up a wicket.

However, they failed to dismiss Nafay, who played a crucial role in guiding Quetta Gladiators to a five-wicket win. With this victory, Rilee Rossouw's team secured their second consecutive win in the Pakistan Super League 2024, placing them at the top of the points table. Khawaja Nafay's outstanding performance earned him the 'Player of the Match' award for his match-winning innings of 60 runs.

 Let us look at how Twitter has reacted to this win from Quetta;