Quetta Gladiators secured a convincing six-wicket victory over Lahore Qalandars on Friday, April 18, tightening their grip on the Pakistan Super League table with a strong all-round display. After bowling Lahore out for 134, the Gladiators chased the target comfortably, reaching 138/4 in 16.2 overs to climb two places to fourth. For Lahore, the result proved costly as they slipped into their third straight loss and stayed in seventh position.
Lahore Qalandars’ innings: early progress, then pressure
- Lahore chose to bat first, and Fakhar Zaman made a quick start by striking two fours off Saqib Khan and Jahandad Khan in the opening two overs.
- Despite that early momentum, the Qalandars lost wickets at regular intervals and were reduced to 42/3 by the end of the Powerplay.
- The Gladiators had chances to make the collapse even sharper, but dropped two catches that allowed Lahore to stay in contention.
- From there, the spin department took over: Abrar Ahmed delivered 0/14 in his four overs, while Usman Tariq struck with figures of 3/18.
- Lahore continued to shed wickets and managed only 134 all out, with Usama Mir providing the most late resistance through a rapid seven-ball 22 from the lower order.
- Jahandad Khan finished with three wickets as Lahore were dismissed with a ball to spare.
Quetta Gladiators chase: control from the front
- In response, Lahore had an early breakthrough when Shaheen Afridi dismissed Shamyl Hussain in the first over.
- Two overs later, Saud Shakeel ran himself out, further denting Lahore’s hopes of building a comeback.
- Rilee Rossouw and Hasan Nawaz then steadied the chase and took command, putting together a 104-run partnership that effectively sealed the contest.
- Rossouw brought up his half-century in the 13th over, while Nawaz was dismissed one short of a similar milestone after being stumped in the 14th over.
- Rossouw remained unbeaten through the chase, and Bevon Jacobs finished things off in the 17th over by clearing the ropes off Haris Rauf for a six.
Brief scores: Lahore Qalandars 134 all out in 19.5 overs (Haseebullah Khan 33, Usama Mir 22; Usman Tariq 3-18, Jahandad Khan 3-35) lost to Quetta Gladiators 138/4 in 16.2 overs (Rilee Rossouw 60*, Hasan Nawaz 49; Shaheen Afridi 1-28) by six wickets.
