A last-ball six from Hasan Nawaz capped a pulsating run chase as Quetta Gladiators edged Multan Sultans by two wickets in a high-stakes encounter at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday afternoon, cementing their position at the top of the PSL X points table.
In pursuit of a competitive 186, Quetta’s chase came down to the wire. With 11 runs required off the final over and pressure mounting, Hasan remained ice-cool. After managing just two runs off the first three deliveries from Mohammad Hasnain, the young batter launched the fourth delivery down the ground for a vital six. A chaotic run-out followed on the penultimate ball, reducing the equation to two off the last delivery. Hasan, undeterred, sealed the match in style with another towering six over long-on to remain unbeaten on 67 off 38 balls—an innings laced with six sixes and two fours.
Earlier, the Gladiators were off to a flying start courtesy of Khawaja Muhammad Nafay’s blistering 51 off just 26 balls, including five boundaries and four maximums. His 77-run partnership with Saud Shakeel (18 off 24) set the tone for the chase, with 60 runs coming in the Powerplay.
However, Multan clawed back with three wickets in as many overs, reducing Quetta to 87 for 3. Hasan then rebuilt the innings with a 29-run stand alongside Dinesh Chandimal (17 off 10), before Faheem Ashraf (16 off 9) joined him for a crucial sixth-wicket partnership of 36 runs. The pair’s aggression tilted the momentum back in Quetta’s favour, especially after they took 16 runs off Dilshan Madushanka’s 15th over.
Despite losing wickets at the other end—including three in the final five overs—Hasan stood firm to guide his team home, dealing a ninth loss to the Sultans in their final league fixture. Shahid Aziz was the pick of the bowlers for Multan with figures of 3 for 29.
Earlier in the afternoon, Multan Sultans—having elected to bat—posted 185 for 7, riding on cameos throughout the batting lineup. Yasir Khan top-scored with a fluent 45 off 25 balls, while debutants Jahanzaib Sultan (25 off 21) and Humayun Altaf (16 off 13) made steady contributions.
Usman Tariq starred with the ball for Quetta, claiming 3 for 32, including the key wickets of Yasir and Jahanzaib. A flurry of late-order boundaries from Shahid Aziz (29 off 14) and Muhammad Amir Barki (21 not out off 16) gave Multan a strong finish, but it ultimately fell short in the face of Hasan Nawaz’s late heroics.
With this win, the Gladiators concluded their league stage with 15 points from 10 matches, affirming their place at the top of the standings heading into the playoffs.
Scores in brief
Match 28: Quetta Gladiators beat Multan Sultans by 2 wickets at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
Multan Sultans: 185-7 in 20 overs (Yasir Khan 45, Tayyab Tahir 36, Shahid Aziz 29; Usman Tariq 3-32)
Quetta Gladiators: 190-8 in 20 overs (Hasan Nawaz 67*; Khawaja Muhammad Nafay 51; Shahid Aziz 3-29)
Player of the Match: Hasan Nawaz (Quetta Gladiators)
Evening Fixture: Peshawar Zalmi vs Lahore Qalandars
Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
Time: 8:00 PM PKT
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