Quetta Gladiators, they managed to get across the line, hard fought match against Karachi Kings, their second win of the tournament.
Massive swings of momentum, but it was Quetta Gladiators, they came up on top beating Karachi by 4 wickets.
It was a do or die affair for both these teams as well. Quetta Gladiators would be delighted that they took the chocolate tonight. They’ve grabbed those much needed 2 points which keeps them alive in the tournament and in the run for the playoffs.
The Qalandars and Islamabad United have already qualified, so just two spots available for the Sultans, Zalmis and Gladiators.
This win is a huge encouragement and that probably will work for them and get them through to the playoffs.
Martin Guptill was declared Player of the match for his unbeaten 86 off 56 punctuated with nine boundaries and four sixes.
Guptill cut loose in the last four overs to steer Quetta to 168-6 in reply to Karachi’s 164-6.
The New Zealander combined for 95 with captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, who made 29 before getting run out in the last over.
Karachi and Quetta still occupy the last two spots in the six-team league.
Quetta’s chase was stalling at 63-5 after Tabraiz Shamsi’s left-arm spin put a stranglehold on the middle overs.
But Guptill, who scored a century against Karachi in Quetta’s only other win, and Safaraz came to the rescue. In his 56-ball knock, Guptill hit nine fours and four sixes. He smacked fast bowler James Fuller for 24 runs in the 17th over with two sixes and three fours, and raised his half-century off 44 balls.
South African Dwaine Pretorius, playing his first game, smashed two boundaries to complete Quetta’s second win.
Karachi’s total came off the back of opening batter Adam Rossington’s 69 off 45 balls and unbeaten cameos from captain Imad Wasim (30) and Yamin (23).
Fast bowler Naseem Shah grabbed 2-31 and young fast bowler Aimal Khan 2-26.
Today’s schedule
Peshawar Zalmi v Lahore Qalandars
Islamabad United v Multan Sultans
Report by Saif R Siddiqui