Rawalpindi, May 18, 2025:
Quetta Gladiators’ middle-order batter Hasan Nawaz struck a six off the final delivery to seal a sensational two-wicket victory over Multan Sultans in the 28th match of the HBL Pakistan Super League at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Needing 15 runs from the final over and two off the last ball to secure their seventh win in 10 league matches, Hasan launched a low full-toss straight over the bowler’s head for six, handing Multan their ninth defeat in 10 games. Hasan, who came in at 81 for two while chasing a target of 186, remained unbeaten on a 38-ball 67, which included two fours and six sixes. He was named Player of the Match.
The Gladiators had been cruising at 77 without loss in the eighth over before a middle-order collapse saw them slump to 123 for five, still needing 63 off 37 balls. Aside from Hasan Nawaz, Dinesh Chandimal (17 off 10) and Faheem Ashraf (16 off 9) provided brief but valuable support in the chase.
For Multan Sultans, fast bowler Shahid Aziz was the pick of the bowlers with figures of three for 29. Ubaid Shah, Peter Hatzoglou, and Mohammad Hasnain chipped in with a wicket apiece.
Earlier, Multan Sultans added 49 runs in the final five overs to post 185 for seven after electing to bat first. Opener Yasir Khan top-scored with 45, while Tayyab Tahir added 36. Shahid Aziz also contributed with the bat, scoring 29 before making his mark with the ball.
Two emerging players from JDW, Multan Sultans’ development squad, made their HBL PSL debuts and impressed with the bat. Jahanzaib Sultan scored 25 off 21 balls, while Hamayun Altaf added 16 from 13 deliveries.
For Quetta, off-spinner Usman Tariq starred with figures of 4-0-32-4.
The 2019 champions, Quetta Gladiators, will now feature in the Qualifier on 21 May against either Islamabad United or Karachi Kings (the second-placed team). The winner of that match will advance directly to the final on 25 May, while the loser will get a second chance to qualify by facing the winner of the Eliminator on 23 May in Lahore.
Scores in Brief
HBL PSL 10 – Match 28: Quetta Gladiators beat Multan Sultans by two wickets
Multan Sultans: 185-7, 20 overs (Yasir Khan 45, Tayyab Tahir 36, Shahid Aziz 29, Jahanzaib Sultan 25, Amir Barki 21 not out; Usman Tariq 4-32)
Quetta Gladiators: 190-8, 20 overs (Hasan Nawaz 67 not out, Khawaja Nafay 51; Shahid Aziz 3-29)
Player of the Match: Hasan Nawaz (Quetta Gladiators)
