Quetta down Peshawar to reach PSL final

Quetta Gladiators last night scored a heart-stopping one-run victory over Peshawar Zalmi to book a berth in Sunday’s final of the Pakistan Super League.

Batting first in the first qualifying final, Quetta reached a challenging 200 for seven in their 2o overs with an attacking 71 (38 balls, 7 fours, 4 sixes) by opener Ahmed Shehzad and an equally aggressive 40 (22 balls, 2 four, three sixes) by Kevin Pietersen.

In reply, Peshawar started badly losing two wickets by the end of the second over with just three runs the board. But DJ Malan (56, 30 balls, 8 fours, 1 six) and Mohammed Hafeez (77, 47 balls, 5 fours, 6 sixes) kept them in the race.

However, once the duo departed within the space of 15 runs and two runs outs of the last two deliveries saw Peshawar lose a match which they should have won with some comfort.

They eventually ended 199 for nine at the end of the 20th over while needing two runs of the last delivery for a thrilling victory.

Mohammed Nawaz proved an unlikely hero as he kept his cool to bowl the decisive last over.

The Pakistan left-arm spinner had already gone for 46 runs off three overs when he was brought on to bowl the final over.

He leaked five and took a crucial wicket of Chris Jordan to seal victory. And in the process, Shahid Afridi’s explosive 13-ball 34 (1 four and 6 sixes) went in vain.

Source: Daily Pakistan