Quetta Gladiators orchestrated a stunning five-wicket triumph over Lahore Qalandars in the fourth fixture of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine on Monday. The 22-year-old prodigy, Khawaja Nafay, played a pivotal role with an unbeaten 60, steering Quetta to their second consecutive victory, while Lahore faced their second consecutive defeat.
The contest unfolded with Sahibzada Farhan’s resilient half-century, followed by Jahandad Khan’s explosive innings, propelling the defending champions to a challenging total of 187/7 after Lahore Qalandars opted to bat first. Akeal Hosein’s early dismissal of Fakhar Zaman for a mere 6 runs set the tone for Quetta’s bowling performance.
Rassie van der Dussen and Farhan formed a stabilizing partnership of 53 runs for the second wicket, but Abrar Ahmed’s breakthrough ended van der Dussen’s stay at the crease. Farhan continued his stellar form, crafting a partnership with Abdullah Shafique and reaching his second consecutive PSL 9 half-century. However, Mohammad Hasnain claimed Farhan’s wicket in the 13th over.
Qalandars faced setbacks with the dismissals of Shafique and other key batsmen, but Jahandad Khan’s sensational, unbeaten 45 off 17 deliveries, featuring three boundaries and four sixes, powered Lahore’s innings. Despite notable contributions from Sikandar Raza and Shaheen Shah Afridi, Quetta’s bowlers, including Hasnain and Hosein, secured crucial wickets.
In the end, Quetta Gladiators emerged victorious in the chase, displaying resilience and skill in their pursuit of the 188-run target. The match showcased thrilling performances from both sides, with Nafay and Jahandad Khan standing out as the protagonists in this entertaining PSL encounter.
