Image Credit- PSL
The Quetta Gladiators punched their ticket to the
playoffs of the PSL after a gap of 4 years in what was the most thrilling way
possible. With 4 needed of the final ball, all-rounder Mohammad Wasim tonked
Shaheen Afridi for a huge six that sparked jubilant scenes in the Quetta camp.
The defeat saw Lahore Qalandars end their PSL campaign
on a whimper. The 2-time champions had an abysmal tournament right from the
outset, and finished bottom of the standings with only one win to show for in
10 outings this season.
Batting first, the Qalandars posted a competitive 166
with major contributions from opener Abdullah Shafique, and skipper Shaheen
Afridi, who promoted himself up the order at number 5 for the first time this
season. Afridi and Shafique put on a whirlwind 91-run partnership for the 4th
wicket as both helped themselves to half-centuries. While Afridi scored 55 of
34 balls, Shafique helped himself to 59 of 39 balls with the help of 3 fours
and 2 sixes.
In response, the Quetta run chase was spearheaded by
Saud Shakeel, who carried his bat throughout the innings with a serene 88 of 65
balls. Jahandad Khan had managed to restrict the Gladiators by snapping Jason
Roy and skipper Rilee Rossouw, but Shakeel found an able ally in the form of
Khawaja Nafay, who gave him ample support in a 70-run stand that put Quetta
back on track after a shaky first half of their innings.
With 14 needed of the final over, Shakeel smacked
Afridi for consecutive fours before Wasim put the icing on the cake for the
Gladiators with a six over midwicket to start the celebrations. While Quetta are
currently on 4th place in the standings, they can still finish within
the top 2 with a win against the table-toppers Multan on Tuesday.