Jake Weatherald, Usman Shinwari help keep Quetta Gladiators' distant playoffs dream alive
Their 18-run win consigned the Lahore Qalandars to their second straight defeat
Their 18-run win consigned the Lahore Qalandars to their second straight defeat
Scorer: Binoy George | Commentator: Sreshth Shah
And that's all from us. Not long before Match 24 starts.... head over here in a few minutes to catch the second match of the double header.
Winning captain Sarfaraz Ahmed: "Today pitch was a bit different. We wanted to take it to 160 at the 14 over mark. Want to credit bowlers, Usman Shinwari for the early wickets. Getting four early was important. When team is not doing well, it is difficult. But we played as a team today."
Usman Shinwari is the Player of the Match on his comeback into the XI. "Thank Allah. Was told that when I get my chance I need to give my 100% and I gave that."
Presentation coming up soon.
Umair: "I told you hunderd time today they make wrong decision to bowl first...every defend the total at day match...you didn't put my comments on commentary i am bit nervous"
Losing captain Sohail: "Need to take responsibility in difficult overs. We spoke about roles, and we will speak about roles once again. Batters need to take responsibilities otherwise we'll get results like these. It was spinning a bit in the chase."
8.46pm So you wonder if some smarter batting could've actually taken Qalandars home. But now they've been all out for two straight games, losing both times while chasing - first against table-toppers United and tonight against bottom-placed Gladiators.
The Gladiators, though, will be disappointed that they couldn't boost their net run rate by a bit more. However, it's a rare win for them this series. Defended a moderate total successfully. They need more of these in their last two matches, and definitely by bigger margins, to have any chance of making the playoffs. It remains a very very very distant dream.
Their bowling was great though: Shinwari up top, followed up by Khurram's 3-14 in just three overs. Nawan's 2-16 in 4 and Hasnain with the difficult overs.
Haris Rauf b Mohammad Hasnain 19 (7b 2x4 1x6) SR: 271.42
Nerves in both camps....
Fareed: "What are we all talking about!? Faulkner is going to take Lahore home here."
Muzammil : "Khurram.. He has shown some character today.. Bowled with brain more on it'll boost his confidence "
Hamid : "I think Faulkner is underrating himself as an allrounder... All those 11 deliveries, he never looked once to hit like a proper batsman or even an Allrounder... He's just ticking away like a No. 11 bowler... "
Mariam: "Azam Khan for MOM. Gave Quetta a slight chance of winning "
Fahad: "Gotta be one of Sarfaraz or Shaheen, for the entertainment they gave us in the first innings..."
Their 18-run win consigned the Lahore Qalandars to their second straight defeat