Jason Roy and Will Smeed. (Photo Source: AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images)
The eighth season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2023 has seen many thrilling encounters so far, but only some could match the intensity of the game that was played between Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi.
Both teams took each other on in the 25th match of the tournament on Wednesday, March 8. Peshawar Zalmi batted first and gave an exceptional performance. Saim Ayub and skipper Babar Azam played exceptional knocks of 74(34) and 115(65), respectively. Skipper Babar Azam’s fabulous knock of 115 runs was cut short after he was run out, had he stayed at the crease, Zalmi could’ve notched up even more runs on the scoreboard.
The fabulous performance with the bat saw Peshawar Zalmi notch up a whopping 240 runs on the scoreboard. All seemed lost for Quetta Gladiators, as the already struggling side found themselves in last place in the points table.
English batter Jason Roy came through for Quetta Gladiators in the second innings. When the target of 241 runs looked out of reach, the 32-year-old played a fabulous unbeaten knock of 145 runs in just 63 deliveries. Roy hit 20 fours and six sixes during his innings.
He was accompanied by veteran all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez, who scored an unbeaten 41 runs off 18 deliveries. Thanks to the fabulous innings played by Roy and Hafeez, Gladiators chased the target in just the 19th over. After scoring 243 runs in 18.2 overs, Quetta Gladiators registered their third victory of the tournament as they won the game by eight wickets.
Following the victory, Quetta Gladiators move up a spot in the PSL standings. They now sit in fifth place with six points in nine matches. Peshawar Zalmi is just one spot above Gladiators with eight points in eight matches. Following their thrilling encounter against, Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators will next take on Multan Sultans in the 27th and 28th matches of the tournament, respectively.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to Quetta Gladiator’s win: