Gladiators' Winning Streak End as They Lost to Multan by 13 Runs

Muhammad Waqas

Multan Sultans: 180/4 (20) | Hendricks 72(47), Rizwan 51(42) | Amir 2/46, Akeal 1/30 

Quetta Gladiators: 167/9 (20) | Nafay 36(31), Rossouw 30 (18) | Ali 3/19, Willey 3/37

In the last match at home ground of the season, Multan Sultans beat Quetta Gladiators by 13 runs.

Batting first, Multan Sultans got off to a strong start as Usman Khan smashed three boundaries against Akeal Hosein in the first over. However, he was stumped out in the third over while attempting a shot to Abrar Ahmed. Skipper Mohammad Rizwan then anchored the innings and build a crucial partnership with Reeza Hendricks before he departed after scoring 51 off 42.

Reeza Hendricks and Tayyab Tahir added 77 runs in the 3^rd wicket partnership. Hendricks scored 72 runs off 47 balls, while Tayyab remained unbeaten with 35 runs off 22 deliveries. This combined effort guided Multan Sultans to a total of 180/4.

In response, Quetta Gladiators struggled against Mohammad Ali and David Willey as Roy scored 12 runs in 15 balls, while Saud Shakeel lost his wicket after scoring 24 off 13 balls. However, Rilee Rossouw and Khawaja Nafay put together a vital 62-run partnership before an expected wicket loss of Rossouw turned the tide in Multan’s favor. Sajjad Ali, who came to bat as the concussion substitute of injured Sarfaraz Ahmed, was caught behind on the second ball he faced.

With 57 runs off 33 balls, Khawaja Nafay (36 runs off 31 balls) was dismissed by Mohammad Ali, followed by the wicket of Sherfane Rutherford by David Willey who scored 21 off just 14). However, Quetta Gladiators just managed to score 167/9 in the allotted 20 overs, losing the game by 13 runs.

Turning Point:

Rilee Rossouw’s wicket on the last ball of the 12^th over was the turning point. This moment shifted the momentum of the match in Multan Sultans’ favor.