Quetta Gladiators eased to the top of the Pakistan Super League table following a six-wicket victory over reigning champions Peshawar Zalmi on Saturday.
Chasing 158, captain Sarfraz Ahmed and Rilee Rossouw led the way with a 74-run stand at Dubai which sealed their third straight win of the tournament.
Here are the key points from the match:
WATSON DELIVERS
SIX! 3.6 Liam Dawson to Shane Watson
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 10, 2018
Watch ball by ball highlights at https://t.co/EouGEy1OgL#PZvQG #HBLPSL #PSL2018 @_cricingif pic.twitter.com/YEdIHElNDi
The Australian all-rounder proved once again how effective he can be with the bat and ball. After his man-of-the-match display against Karachi Kings, the 36-year-old was at it again with another solid performance. His picked up 2-26 and played his part on the field by taking the catch of Mohammad Hafeez. He then capped off a fine night with 37 runs, including six boundaries, off 25 deliveries.
PESHAWAR’S BATTING DISAPPOINTS
At one point, Peshawar Zalmi were struggling to reach 130 but Riki Wessels and captain Darren Sammy went after Quetta Gladiators’ bowlers that gave them a respectable total of 157. In the last five overs, the pair scored 56 runs as Sammy keeping the run-rate high with four fours and two sixes in his 19-ball 36.
In the end their efforts went in vain and it was another disappointing batting team performance where four of their top-seven batsmen reached double figures. Standing second bottom with six points, defeat is not an option in their two remaining games.
ROSSOUW AND SARFRAZ FINISH THE JOB
For a real captain's knock our Man of the Match is @SarfarazA_54#HBLPSL #DilSeJaanLagaDe #PZvQG pic.twitter.com/dxGfOTDWGe
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 10, 2018
At 84-4 after 10 overs, Peshawar had an opportunity to pile more misery. Instead, they were met by a stubborn partnership that took the game away from them as Sarfraz and Rossouw stitched together an unbeaten 74-run stand.
With three straight victories, last season’s runners-up are beginning to find their form at the right time.
