Rossouw Fifty Seals Comfortable Win for Quetta Against Lahore
KARACHI: Quetta Gladiators delivered a clinical all-round performance to secure a convincing six-wicket win over defending champions Lahore Qalandars in the 26th match of PSL 11 at the National Bank Stadium on Friday, with Rilee Rossouw leading the charge through an unbeaten half-century.
Chasing a manageable 135, the Gladiators reached the target with ease, losing four wickets and sealing the result with 22 balls remaining.
The run chase, however, began on a shaky note as both openers, Shamyl Hussain and Saud Shakeel, were dismissed cheaply inside the first three overs, leaving Quetta struggling at 11 for 2.
Rossouw then found solid support in Mohammad Nawaz, and the pair steadied the innings brilliantly. Their 104-run stand for the third wicket turned the tide decisively in Quetta’s favour, putting them firmly in control of the chase.
The partnership was eventually broken in the 14th over when Sikandar Raza removed Nawaz, who narrowly missed out on a half-century after scoring a fluent 49 off 32 balls, including six boundaries and two sixes.
Quetta suffered another minor setback soon after as Dinesh Chandimal fell cheaply, but Rossouw remained composed throughout. The left-hander guided his side home comfortably in the 17th over, alongside Bevon Jacobs, who added a quick unbeaten 14 off six balls.
Rossouw top-scored with a composed 60 not out off 49 deliveries, striking five fours and two sixes. For Lahore, Sikandar Raza, Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi managed to claim one wicket each.
Earlier, Lahore Qalandars’ decision to bat first failed to pay off as they were bowled out for 134 in 19.5 overs after a series of batting collapses.
Mohammad Naeem was the first to depart early, followed shortly by Fakhar Zaman, who looked aggressive during his brief stay. Alzarri Joseph then struck twice in quick succession, removing Charith Asalanka to leave Lahore reeling at 36 for 3.
Saqib Khan added to the pressure with another breakthrough, dismissing Mohammad Farooq, before Usman Tariq turned the game further in Quetta’s favour with a double strike that included the key wicket of skipper Shaheen Afridi.
At 60 for 6, Lahore were in deep trouble. Haseebullah Khan tried to rebuild the innings with small partnerships, first alongside Sikandar Raza and then with Daniel Sams, but lacked sufficient support from the other end.
Haseebullah emerged as the top-scorer with a fighting 33 off 37 balls. Late fireworks from Usama Mir, who smashed 22 off just seven deliveries, gave the total some respectability before Lahore were eventually bowled out.
For Quetta, Usman Tariq and Jahandad Khan led the bowling effort with three wickets apiece, while Alzarri Joseph picked up two and Saqib Khan contributed with one, capping off a dominant performance by the Gladiators.
