Khurram Shahzad shines as Quetta Gladiators blow Multan Sultans away

LAHORE: Quetta Gladiators delivered a commanding performance at Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday night, thrashing Multan Sultans by 10 wickets to register their third consecutive win in the HBL PSL. The victory lifted Gladiators to second place on the points table, with four wins from six matches.

Pacer Khurram Shahzad spearheaded the demolition job with an exceptional spell, claiming 4 wickets for just 23 runs in his four overs. He was ably supported by Mohammad Wasim Jnr (2-18) and Faheem Ashraf (2-21), as the Multan Sultans were bundled out for a PSL record-low total of 89 in 17 overs.

Khurram made an immediate impact, removing four of the top-order batters within the first 11 deliveries of his spell, reducing Sultans to 20/4. Faheem struck twice in consecutive overs to dismiss Iftikhar Ahmed and Michael Bracewell, as the collapse continued with the scoreboard reading 43/6 in the 10th over.

Captain Mohammad Rizwan offered the only resistance, remaining unbeaten with a 44-run knock off 44 balls, which included three boundaries and a six. Usama Mir (11 off 6) was the only other batter to reach double digits. Wasim Jnr closed out the innings, removing David Willey and Ubaid Shah.

In reply, Quetta Gladiators chased down the modest 90-run target with ease, reaching the finish line in just 6.5 overs. Openers Finn Allen and Saud Shakeel made light work of the chase, smashing nine sixes and five fours between them. Allen remained unbeaten on 45 from 21 deliveries, while Saud scored a blazing 42* off 20 balls, featuring three fours and four sixes.

Multan Sultans, now reeling with six losses from seven games, will look to regroup before taking on Karachi Kings on May 1 at Gaddafi Stadium.

Brief Scores – Match 18:
Quetta Gladiators beat Multan Sultans by 10 wickets at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Multan Sultans: 89 all out in 17 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 44; Khurram Shahzad 4-23, Mohammad Wasim Jnr 2-18, Faheem Ashraf 2-21) Quetta Gladiators: 90-0 in 6.5 overs (Finn Allen 45, Saud Shakeel 42*)