Quetta Gladiators hammer Hyderabad Kingsmen in PSL 11 encounter

Quetta Gladiators defeated Hyderabad Kingsmen by 40 runs in their second match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 11 at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

Chasing 175 for victory, Hyderabad Kingsmen were bowled out for 135, falling 40 runs short despite resistance from Irfan Khan Niazi and Hassan Khan.

Irfan top-scored with 33, while Hassan Khan made 31 and Marnus Labuschagne contributed 23, but Hyderabad failed to build the partnerships needed to edge past the Quetta Gladiators

Quetta’s bowlers kept the pressure on throughout the innings, with Abrar Ahmed leading the attack by taking three wickets, while Ahmad Daniyal took two.

Earlier, half-centuries by Shamyl Hussain and Hassan Nawaz guided Quetta Gladiators to a competitive total of 174 for eight.  

After opting to bat first, Quetta made a steady start with skipper Saud Shakeel and Shamyl Hussain putting early runs on the board. However, Riley Meredith struck on the final ball of the second over to dismiss Saud for four, leaving the Gladiators at 21 for one.

Meredith continued his impact in the fourth over, removing Rilee Rossouw for a five-ball duck to dent Quetta’s progress further.

Shamyl then stitched a crucial partnership with Hassan Nawaz as the duo steadied the innings and took the team past the 50-run mark. The pair added 89 runs for the third wicket, easing pressure and rebuilding momentum with calculated stroke play.

Shamyl, continuing his fine form, registered his second consecutive fifty of the season, scoring 54 off 41 balls, including three fours and three sixes. His innings came to an end when Meredith claimed his third wicket.

Hassan Nawaz carried on the innings, bringing up his fourth PSL half-century, with Khawaja Nafay providing brief support at the other end.

Hyderabad struck back in the 15th over through Maheesh Theekshana, who picked up two quick wickets. He first dismissed Nafay for six and then removed Ben McDermott for a duck, halting Quetta’s momentum.

In the closing overs, Tom Curran accelerated the scoring with a quickfire 31 off 18 balls, hitting one four and three sixes to push the total past 150.

Akif Javed delivered a strong final over, dismissing Curran and Alzarri Joseph, who departed without scoring.

Abrar Ahmed provided late impetus with two boundaries, remaining unbeaten on nine off three balls, while Ahmed Daniyal added six runs as Quetta Gladiators finished on 174 for eight in their allotted 20 overs.