Quetta Gladiators secured a commanding 61-run victory against RawalPindiz in the 18th fixture of Pakistan Super League Season 11, held at the National Bank Stadium on Friday. A composed half-century from Rilee Rossouw and an effective bowling effort were key to the Gladiators’ success.
Chasing a target of 184 runs, RawalPindiz struggled with the bat and were dismissed for 121 runs in 17.3 overs. Saad Masood stood out with a brisk 31 off 19 balls, while Daryl Mitchell contributed a cautious 30 from 32 deliveries. Yasir Khan (22) and Abdullah Fazal (20) were the only other players to reach double figures in the innings.
For Quetta Gladiators, Usman Tariq, Jahandad Khan, and captain Saud Shakeel each took two wickets, complemented by single wickets from Kashif Bhatti and Abrar Ahmed.
Earlier, after winning the toss and opting to bat, Quetta posted a competitive total of 182 for 6 in their 20 overs. The innings began with the early dismissal of opener Sam Harper for eight runs in the fourth over, with the team score at 22.
Rossouw then anchored the innings with a steady 53 runs off 42 balls, including six boundaries and a six. He shared an 87-run partnership with Saud Shakeel, who scored 42 off 39 balls. Mubasir Khan ended Rossouw’s innings, and Ben Sears followed by dismissing Saud Shakeel in the next over.
Veteran pacer Mohammad Amir struck twice to slow the Gladiators’ momentum, reducing them to 156 for 6 in 16.2 overs. However, a late surge from Hasan Nawaz, who smashed 39 runs off just 16 balls, along with an unbeaten 21 off 6 by Jahandad Khan, propelled Quetta to a strong total.
Ben Sears was the most successful bowler for RawalPindiz, claiming 3 wickets for 41 runs, while Mohammad Amir took two wickets and Mubasir Khan picked up one.
