6.56pm The Watson show comes to an end! He's played some strong hands in this tournament, with scores of 81* and 61 previously, but this was the best of the lot. His unbeaten 91 has turned what could have been a tricky chase into a very simple one. He was well supported by Ahmed Shehzad, who didn't look at his best but nonetheless contributed 50 to a match-winning 129-run stand. Had Zalmi had a few more spinners to turn to, and had they held their catches, the result could have been different. But as it is, this win takes Gladiators to the top of the points table. Shane Watson is named Player of the Match.
"That was a beautiful wicket to bat on," says Watson. "A bit of pace and bounce in it, and something closer to what I'm used to in Australia. One of those days where things go to plan. I enjoy batting second."
Faizan Abbas: "Wahab last ball was no ball. In the next match will the first ball consider as the free hit or a normal delivery?" -- No, there's no carry-over in that regard!
Abhijato: "Watson rolled back the years more effectively than a VHS tape, and one-upped fellow veteran Kamran Akmal. Both teams are more or less through to the knockouts, and hence will gladly take positives as well as the negatives from the match - Shahzad is still a decent anchor, Pollard is in form, and his blitzes have not been one-offs. Akmal has shown he still has some, and might peak in time for the business end of the tournament. Also, you can't always depend on Hasan Ali if you want to win the PSL"
Abhijato: "Would just like to inform anyone following the match that Imran Tahir will retire after this World Cup. Hopefully, he can turn into a caped franchise crusader like Watson after the tournament, and come to the PSL where he will like the tracks. He's been the most sensational LOI spinner the Proteas have ever had in their team. Here's to hoping this World Cup gives him many reasons to run all the way to Cape Town. Cheers, Imran!"
END OF OVER:17 | 11 Runs | QG: 152/2 (14 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 8.94, RRR: 4.66)
- Rilee Rossouw12 (4b)
- Shane Watson79 (50b)
- Hasan Ali3-0-23-0
- Umaid Asif4-0-46-1
Hadi: "Just joined in. Quetta have been smooth! Quite surprising to see a much much better crowd in AD than Dubai. Surprising because AD stadium is far away and reachability is not as close and as easy as Dubai stadium. Good to see some crowd turn up on a working day!"
Omair Patel: "Since Corey Anderson bouncer has hit Ahmed Shehzad on head, He is not the same Ahmed Shehzad. Something has happened to him."
