LAHORE (AM Khan): In one of the most dominant performances of HBL PSL 10, Quetta Gladiators crushed Multan Sultans by 10 wickets in a low-scoring encounter, thanks to a fiery four-wicket haul from Khurram Shahzad and a blistering opening stand by Saud Shakeel and Finn Allen.
Multan Sultans, opting to bat first, crumbled to a dismal 89 all out in 17 overs — their lowest total this season. Apart from skipper Mohammad Rizwan, who anchored the innings with a labored 44 off 44 balls, none of the Multan batters managed to reach double figures except tail-ender Usama Mir (11). Rizwan was left stranded as wickets kept tumbling around him.
The star of the collapse was pacer Khurram Shahzad, who bowled with pace and precision to claim 4 for 23. He removed top-order batters Yasir Khan, Usman Khan, Kamran Ghulam, and Curtis Campher, triggering a top-order meltdown. He was well supported by Mohammad Wasim (2/18) and Faheem Ashraf (2/21), as Quetta’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure throughout the innings. There were also two run-outs, further compounding Multan’s misery.
Chasing just 90, Quetta’s openers came out firing. Captain Saud Shakeel played a captain’s knock, smashing an unbeaten 42 off 20 balls, laced with 3 fours and 4 sixes. At the other end, New Zealand’s Finn Allen was equally destructive, hammering 45 not out off 21 deliveries, including 5 towering sixes.
The chase was wrapped up in just 6.5 overs, with Quetta reaching 90 without loss, finishing at a stunning run rate of 13.17 per over. Not a single Multan bowler managed to make an impact, with all four used proving expensive and wicketless. For his sensational spell that dismantled Multan’s top order, Khurram Shahzad was deservedly named Player of the Match.
English