ISLAMABAD: The Lahore Qalandars won their fourth consecutive match in a row on Thursday, defeating the Quetta Gladiators by 17 runs in another Pakistan Super League (PSL) 8 clash at the Qaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
The Qalandars, powered by an unbeaten 71-run knock by Sikandar Raza, were bowled out for 148 in 19.2 overs. Chasing the total, the Gladiators got off to a flying start with a 53-run partnership before Yasir Khan was dismissed by Haris Rauf.
Rauf was the star of the match, picking up an impressive 3/22 from his four overs while Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan ended up with 2/14 from his four overs. David Wiese chipped in with a wicket as well, bowling economically and finishing with 1/22 from his four overs.
Playing defensively, the Gladiators were unable to chase the score, finishing at 131-7 at the end of 20 overs, falling 18 runs short of the target. Will Smeed top-scored for the Gladiators, making 32 runs from 25 balls while skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed remained unbeaten on 27 from 28 balls.
Muhammad Nawaz continued his poor run of form, scoring only 4 runs from 6 balls before Rauf clean bowled him.
With five wins from six matches, Lahore have 10 points and remain at the top of the table with a two-point lead over Multan Sultans. The Gladiators, on the other hand, will have their work cut out for them to qualify for the playoffs. With a single win and only two points, the Gladiators remain at the bottom of the table with a net run rate of -1.768.
Earlier during their batting, the Qalandars got off to a horrible start, losing their first four wickets within the first powerplay against the Gladiators.
Raza’s inning was the highlight of the match, featuring three sixes and eight fours. He remained unbeaten on 71 from 34 balls, powering Qalandars to 148/10 after 19.2 overs.
For the Gladiators, Muhammad Nawaz and Naveen-ul-Haq took two wickets each while Asif, Odean Smith, and Naseem Shah picked up a wicket each.
