Hassan Nawaz clinches dramatic last-ball victory for Quetta over Multan.
RAWALPINDI: Quetta Gladiators pulled off a nail-biting two-wicket win over Multan Sultans at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday, propelling themselves to the top of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 points table.
Chasing a daunting 186-run target, Quetta’s openers, captain Saud Shakeel and Khawaja Nafay, came out firing on all cylinders. Their aggressive approach yielded a blistering 60-run stand within the powerplay, setting the tone for the chase.
Nafay stole the spotlight with a dynamic half-century, hammering 51 off just 26 deliveries. His innings, which included five fours and four maximums at a strike rate of 196.15, played a key role in keeping the asking rate under control.
The 77-run opening partnership came to an end when Shahid Aziz dismissed Nafay. Moments later, Saud Shakeel’s labored knock of 18 from 24 balls ended, leaving the Gladiators at 81/2 in the ninth over.
Sri Lankan import Avishka Fernando, making his PSL 10 debut, couldn’t leave a mark, falling for 7 to Shahid Aziz, who struck again to put Quetta under pressure at 87/3.
Veteran Dinesh Chandimal provided some resistance, sharing a vital stand with Hassan Nawaz and taking the total past 100. Chandimal’s brief but useful 17 off 10 balls ended with his dismissal by Ubaid Shah at 116/4.
Quetta’s middle order wobbled further. Danish Aziz registered a golden duck courtesy of Peter Hatzoglou, while Faheem Ashraf chipped in with 16 before departing at a tense moment with the score reading 159/6 in the 18th over.
Mohammad Wasim Jr.’s run-out for 1 further tightened the screws on Quetta.
Despite the mounting pressure, Hassan Nawaz held his ground. With 11 needed in the final over, the youngster kept his composure and sealed the victory in thrilling fashion by clearing the ropes on the last ball. His unbeaten 67 off 38 deliveries proved to be the difference as Quetta clinched a last-gasp win.
Earlier, after being asked to bat first, Multan Sultans made a strong start with Yasir Khan finding boundaries early. However, captain Mohammad Rizwan was bowled by Faheem Ashraf for just 4 in the second over, reducing Multan to 12/1.
Yasir, along with Jahanzeib Sultan, rebuilt with a 52-run partnership. Jahanzeib’s 25 off 21 ended at the hands of Usman Tariq, who also removed Yasir Khan shortly after his fluent 45 off 25 balls, leaving Multan at 79/3 after nine overs.
Tayyab Tahir and Humayon Altaf then combined for a steady 41-run stand. Altaf fell for 16, dismissed by Khurram Shahzad, and Multan began to lose momentum in the death overs.
Abrar Ahmed dismissed Hatzoglou cheaply, but Aamer Azmat added some late fireworks with an unbeaten 21 off 16, including a towering six off Shahzad.
In the final over, Mohammad Wasim Jr. accounted for Shahid Aziz after a quickfire 29 off 14 balls, while Mohammad Hasnain ended the innings with a boundary to take Multan to a solid 185/7.
