LAHORE: Right-arm pacer Hasan Ali came out in support of Quetta Gladiators’ captain Sarfaraz Ahmed briefly after the latter’s side succumbed to a sixth defeat in the ongoing eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

The Gladiators, at the bottom of the points table, had a vital opportunity to seal a much-needed two points to make a case for their playoff qualification when they had Qalandars seven down for just 50 runs in 10 overs. However, Sikandar Raza’s astounding knock of 71 runs recovered Lahore Qalandars from 50/7 to 148, which their bowlers comfortably defended and powered their side to a convincing 17-run victory. Gladiators started off well in the run chase with their openers Will Smeed and Yasir Khan raising 50 runs within the powerplay before the former champions ran into a match-defining collapse.

Sarfaraz came out to bat with his side struggling at 64/4 in the 11th over but his inability to play big shots devoided him from pulling it for his side and the Gladiators fell 17 runs short despite their captain remaining unbeaten.

Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 03 2023

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