Mahmudullah bowls Quetta to easy win

Bangladesh all-rounder Mahmudullah Riyad took three wickets to fashion a convincing six-wicket win for Quetta Gladiators against Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

The off-spinner removed both Karachi openers Babar Azam (36) and Kumar Sangakarra (28) when they were about to cut loose after putting on 60 runs in seven overs. He then removed dangerman Shoaib Malik for nine to finish his quota of four overs with 3-21. His effort enabled Quetta to restrict Karachi to a not-so-impressive 154-6 in 20 overs.

Quetta, in their chase raced to 105 for no loss with both openers Asad Shafiq (51) and Ahmed Shehzad (54) in full cry. But they suffered a mini collapse, losing three wickets with the addition of another six runs. Sohail Khan removed both Shehzad and Shafiq while Quetta’s star batsman Kevin Pietersen was run out without facing a single ball in that eventful over.

But wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed with an unbeaten 19 and Mahmudullah, who came into bat at number six, with a four-ball eight that included a reverse-swept four guided Quetta to victory with six balls to spare. With this win Quetta were guaranteed a place in the play-offs.  

Scores in Brief

Karachi Kings: 154-6 in 20 overs (Babar 36, Sangakkara 28, Gayle 29, Pollard 31; Mahmudullah 3-21, Ali 2-30)

Quetta Gladiators:   158-4 in 19 overs (Shafiq 51, Shehzad 54; Sohail 2-28)

Result: Quetta won by 6 wickets

Player-of-the-match: Mahmudullah Riyad