PSL: Quetta Gladiators storm into playoffs

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PSL: Quetta Gladiators storm into playoffs
Team Quetta Gladiators celebrating after Grant Elliott takes the wicket of Shakib Al Hasan during 14th Match between Karachi Kings v Quetta Gladiators at Sharjah cricket stadium on Saturday - photo by M.Sajjad

Dubai - Elliott is Gladiators' hero with four wickets as Karachi fall by wayside

By Liaqat Ali

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Published: Sun 14 Feb 2016, 9:58 PM

Last updated: Mon 15 Feb 2016, 8:26 AM

Quetta Gladiators once again proved they have firepower to go all the way in the Pakistan Super League. Sarfraz Ahmed-led team and mentored by Sir Vivian Richards outplayed Karachi Kings by five wickets to book a place in the playoffs at the historic Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
After registering a convincing victory over Lahore Qalandars, Karachi were supposed to give Quetta a tough time. Despite winning the toss, Karachi could manage to put on only 126 runs which was never going to pose any problem to a strong Quetta batting line-up on a placid Sharjah wicket.
The late comer Grant Elliott emerged an unlikely hero by grabbing 4 for 15 in his four-over spell to restrict Karachi to 126 for nine in 20 overs.
Ahmed Shehzad (41), Sarfraz Ahmed (29 not out) and Kevin Pietersen (26) guided the Galdiators home with seven balls to spare.
Elliott said: "We're bowling very well as a unit, and with that pressure, someone's going to get a couple of wickets, and I was fortunate." Karachi fielded an unchanged side but they tinkered with the batting order as captain Shoaib Malik opened the innings with Nauman Anwar. Karachi suffered the first jolt when talented Nauman once again failed to play a big innings and was castled by Anwar Ali in the third over.
Malik and James Vince batted with authority to put on 47 runs for the second wicket and Karachi were destined for a big score on a batting-friendly Sharjah wicket. Vince departed after scoring 23 followed by top scorer Shoaib Malik (45) to leave Karachi 83 for three in 12.5 overs.
Packed with all-rounders, Karachi still had batting to set up a challenging total in the remaining seven overs but it didn't happen as they kept on losing wickets regularly. The wickets of Shakib Al Hasan (10) and Friday night's hero Ravi Bopara (14) left Karachi in deep trouble. They never recovered from these jolts as none of the remaining batsmen could enter the double figures. Karachi coach Mickey Arthur said: "After Ravi Bopara's brilliant two innings we started to depend on him heavily. We have to change this attitude if we want to progress in this tournament."
Arthur added: "Usama Mir is a find of the tournament and this guy has great future ahead."
The historic Sharjah Cricket Stadium is known for big crowds and the PSL arrival has attracted big numbers. Saturday too observed a packed house and thousands failed to enter the ground as there was no seat vacant. Syed Ali Anwar Jafry while talking to Khaleej Times said: "I have never seen such a big crowd in Sharjah since the start of cricket here. A sea of people turned out for matches on Friday and Saturday and it speaks volumes about the success of the PSL. It is going to be one of the top T20 leagues after the Indian Premier League in the world."
liaqat@khaleejtimes.com

SP130216-MS-PSL -- Sarfraz Ahmed from playing Quetta Gladiators playing a shot during 14th Match between Karachi Kings v Quetta Gladiators at Sharjah cricket stadium on Saturday – photo by M.Sajjad
SP130216-MS-PSL -- Sarfraz Ahmed from playing Quetta Gladiators playing a shot during 14th Match between Karachi Kings v Quetta Gladiators at Sharjah cricket stadium on Saturday – photo by M.Sajjad
Grant Elliott (left) is congratulated by Ahmed Shehzad after he bagged a wicket. — Photo by M Sajjad
Grant Elliott (left) is congratulated by Ahmed Shehzad after he bagged a wicket. — Photo by M Sajjad

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