KARACHI
Quetta Gladiators on Monday downed Lahore Qalandars in the last match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) Karachi-leg, thanks to Englishman Jason Roy’s one of the finest career innings.
Quetta Gladiators beat Lahore Qalandars by 7 wickets in what was last game to be played at National Stadium Karachi for this edition of PSL.
English opener Jason Roy, who played his first match for the Gladiators on Monday shined his brightest and blasted a ton of 116 off just 57 balls while chasing a mighty target of 205.
Lahore Qalandars managed a blissful start amidst Fakhar Zaman’s brilliant 70 (41) and his partner Abdullah Shafique’s steady 32 (27).
Qalandars’ middle order was unable to click and carry on the momentum, initially produced by opening batters. Later at the back end, Harry Brook scored fiery 41 (17), coupled with David Wiese’s 22 (9), which took Qalandars to 204-5 from their twenty-overs quota.
Majority of Gladiators bowlers were bashed all around by Qalandars’ batters. Shahid Khan Afridi had relatively low economy rate as he gave 25 runs away from three overs he bowled.
Gladiators’ reply was all about Jason Roy’s ton, who dominated Lahore bowlers from the very beginning. Roy’s aggressive intent from ball one pushed Lahore’s bowlers at back-foot, and they were never allowed to recover from that.
Despite wickets falling at other end, Roy continued his masterful lathi-charge, and took Gladiators very near to the victory line. Roy scored 116 off just 57 balls. He was accompanied by James Vince who batted sensibly in middle overs. Vince posted 49 (38) against his name.
Roy and Vince’s partnership was coupled with Muhammad Nawaz’s skillful finishing who smashed two out of the park at the back end, taking Gladiators over the finishing line.
