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February 19, 2024
Lahore, 19 February 2024: Quetta Gladiators (QG) registered their second win of HBL PSL 9, defeating the home team Lahore Qalandars (LQ) by five wickets at the Gaddafi Stadium on Monday night. The match showcased Quetta’s resilience and strategic play, allowing them to chase the target effectively.
Khawaja Nafay was the standout performer for QG, shining with an impressive unbeaten half-century after coming in to bat at number three. His confident innings were crucial in steering Quetta toward victory, demonstrating his ability to handle pressure in his second appearance in the HBL PSL.
On the other hand, the loss marked the second consecutive defeat for Shaheen Shah Afridi-led Lahore Qalandars (LQ), raising concerns about their form in the tournament. As the rivalry between QG vs LQ intensifies, this match is a significant moment for Quetta Gladiators, who will look to build on this momentum in the upcoming matches.
In pursuit of a challenging 188-run target against the home team, the Quetta Gladiators (QG) opening batters again provided a solid start. Saud flicked Shaheen Shah Afridi toward a deep fine on the last ball of the opening over, registering his first game boundary. This aggressive beginning set the tone for QG vs LQ.
On the last ball of the third over, Saud showcased his power by hitting Shaheen for an outrageous six over the keeper’s head. Jason Roy quickly joined the action, striking Jahandad Khan for two boundaries in the fifth over. Together, the duo forged a strong fifty partnership within five overs, contributing significantly to the momentum as QG vs LQ progressed.
The powerplay proved fruitful for Quetta, yielding 61 runs and solidifying their position in the match. As the opening batters continued to build on their solid start, the excitement grew, making this QG vs. LQ encounter a thrilling contest for fans and players alike.
Saud (40 off 23 balls, 7 fours, 1 six) was outfoxed by a Zaman Khan yorker on the fifth ball of the seventh over, providing Lahore their first breakthrough. Three balls later, Sikandar Raza bowled Jason Roy, who departed for 24 runs off 19 balls, aided by four boundaries. The 29-run partnership between Rilee Rossouw (18 off 13 balls, 3 fours) and Khawaja Nafay lasted for 19 balls before Haris Rauf dismissed Rossouw in the 11th over, further intensifying the QG vs LQ contest.
In an exciting display, Nafay hit Haris Rauf for two towering sixes on the first and fifth balls of the same over, injecting vital momentum into Quetta’s innings. The 22-year-old showcased his composure during challenging moments, proving his worth and living up to the hype surrounding his arrival in the HBL PSL.
As the match progressed, leg-spinner Salman Fayyaz struck in the 14th over, removing Sarfaraz Ahmed and leaving Quetta at 130 for 4, with 58 runs still required from 41 balls. The pressure was mounting as QG vs LQ continued to unfold, setting the stage for a thrilling finish.
Sherfane Rutherford contributed 14 runs off 12 balls before Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed him in the 17th over. Meanwhile, Khawaja Nafay celebrated his maiden HBL PSL fifty, reaching the milestone with a shot over wide mid-off against Rauf in the following over. Quetta successfully chased down the 188-run target with five balls to spare, with Nafay finishing unbeaten on 60 off 31 balls, featuring four boundaries and three sixes. This pivotal performance highlighted the thrilling nature of the QG vs LQ match.
Earlier in the evening, Lahore Qalandars won the toss and chose to bat first. Akeal Hosein took the new ball for Quetta, and an early opportunity arose for Fakhar Zaman on the second ball of the opening over. Zaman chipped the ball toward Mohammad Wasim Jnr in the covers, who unfortunately dropped an easy catch, giving Lahore a chance to build momentum in the QG vs LQ showdown.
As the match progressed, Quetta’s bowlers fought hard to restrict Lahore’s scoring, setting up an exciting chase. The intensity of the QG vs LQ match was palpable, with both teams showcasing their skills and determination throughout the match.
Fakhar Zaman’s struggle ended on the first ball of the third over when he handed a straightforward catch to Jason Roy at mid-on, leaving him with just 6 runs off 9 balls. Meanwhile, Sahibzada Farhan and Rassie Van der Dussen raised the tempo with several boundaries during the powerplay despite a disciplined start from Quetta’s bowlers. Lahore finished the powerplay at 43 runs for the loss of one wicket, showcasing the competitive spirit of the QG vs LQ match.
Abrar Ahmed was introduced to the attack in the seventh over, testing Sahibzada with tight lines. Sahibzada responded impressively, hitting a four over extra cover and a six over deep mid-wicket on the last two balls of the over. This display of aggression highlighted the exciting back-and-forth action that characterized the QG vs LQ encounter.
As the innings progressed, both teams sought to assert their dominance. Lahore aimed to build on its solid start, while Quetta looked to tighten its grip in this thrilling QG vs. LQ contest. The atmosphere at the ground was electric, as fans anticipated the next pivotal moments in the match.
Abrar Ahmed returned later to swing the momentum in Quetta’s favor by dismissing Rassie van der Dussen. He bowled a ball that pitched on a good length just outside off-stump, deceiving the batter with a bit of turn before crashing into the stumps. This crucial wicket added to the excitement of the QG vs. LQ match. Lahore found themselves at 67 for two at the halfway mark, with Abdullah Shafique joining Sahibzada Farhan at the crease.
In the dramatic 11th over, Mohammad Wasim Jnr made headlines when Sahibzada was dropped in the third-man area by Mohammad Hasnain. Just three balls later, Abdullah took full advantage, bludgeoning the ball into the stands for a towering six. This moment exemplified the competitive nature of the QG vs LQ encounter, as both teams fought for dominance.
As the match continued, tension mounted. Quetta looked to capitalize on their bowling strengths, while Lahore aimed to build a solid partnership. The atmosphere was electric, showcasing the thrilling dynamics of this QG vs. LQ clash.
Sahibzada Farhan reached his half-century off just 39 balls, marking his second consecutive HBL PSL fifty. However, the fifth ball of the 13th over saw Sahibzada (62 off 43 balls, 6 fours, 3 sixes) dismissed by Hasnain, caught by Khawaja Nafay right after he had hit back-to-back sixes in the same over. Left-hand batter Jahandad was then promoted up the order and came out aggressively, hitting the first ball for four, signaling the following explosive innings. This moment highlighted the thrilling nature of the QG vs LQ matchup.
Abdullah Shafique contributed 11 runs off 10 balls before departing in the 14th over, caught behind off the bowling of Akeal Hosein. Jahandad and Sikandar Raza combined for a rapid partnership of 45 runs off 21 balls. Jahandad showcased his pinch-hitting ability, amassing 23 runs off the 16th over against Abrar Ahmed, including three massive sixes that electrified the crowd. The dynamic action continued in the QG vs LQ contest as Mohammad Amir broke the partnership by dismissing Raza (18 off 12 balls, 1 four, 1 six) on the fourth ball of the 17th over.
As the match progressed, the intensity of the QG vs. LQ encounter kept the fans on the edge of their seats, with both teams striving to assert dominance. The batting fireworks from Jahandad and Sahibzada highlighted the fierce competition, making for an exhilarating cricketing spectacle.
Lahore Qalandars gathered 34 runs off the last three overs, concluding their innings at 187 for seven in their 20 overs. Skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi contributed a quick-fire cameo of 12 runs off eight balls, including an impressive six off his first delivery. Meanwhile, Jahandad finished strong, remaining unbeaten on 45 runs from just 17 balls, featuring three fours and four sixes. This explosive batting display was a highlight of the thrilling QG vs. LQ contest.
For Quetta Gladiators, the bowling effort was led by Hasnain and Akeal Hosein, who each took two wickets. At the same time, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, and Abrar Ahmed chipped in with one wicket apiece. Their collective performance was crucial in maintaining the intensity throughout the QG vs. LQ match, as they aimed to keep Lahore’s score in check.
As both teams took to the field, the stage was set for an exciting chase, with Quetta needing to respond effectively to Lahore’s competitive total. The atmosphere remained electric as fans eagerly anticipated the outcome of this gripping QG vs LQ encounter.
Quetta Gladiators Defeat Lahore Qalandars by Five Wickets
In a thrilling match, the Quetta Gladiators emerged victorious against the Lahore Qalandars by five wickets. Lahore set a challenging target of 188 runs, finishing their innings at 187 for 7 in 20 overs. Sahibzada Farhan was the standout performer for Lahore, scoring 62 runs, while Jahandad Khan contributed an impressive 45 not out. Akeal Hosein was the pick of the bowlers for Quetta, taking 2 wickets for just 17 runs.
Quetta Gladiators successfully chased the target, scoring 188 for 5 in 19.1 overs. Khawaja Nafay played a crucial role in the victory, finishing with an unbeaten 60 runs, supported by Saud Shakeel with 40 runs. Sikandar Raza was the only bowler to claim a wicket for Lahore, ending with figures of 1 for 25.
Player of the Match: Khawaja Nafay (Quetta Gladiators)
Upcoming Fixture: Multan Sultans vs Islamabad United at Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan (7 PM).
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Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for The Wicket Insider, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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