Shamyl and Hasan Hit Twin Fifties to Set 175 Target in Quetta vs Hyderabad Live Thriller

In a 5th match of PSL 11, the Quetta Gladiators have set a challenging target of 175 runs for the Hyderabad Kingsmen. After winning the toss and electing to bat on a surface that looked tailor-made for stroke-making, the Gladiators finished their 20 overs at 174/8.

The Gladiators’ strategy to capitalize on the hard new ball was immediately tested by Australian speedster Riley Meredith, who produced a masterclass in aggressive opening bowling. Meredith removed Quetta skipper Saud Shakeel for just 4, a sharp bouncer rushing the captain into a mistimed pull that landed safely in the hands of mid-wicket. When the experienced Rilee Rossouw followed shortly after, walking back for a duck after a reckless swing, Quetta appeared to be staring at a collapse in powerplay.

However, the rescue mission was led by the young and fearless Shamyl Hussain. Hussain anchored the innings with a beautifully paced 54 off 41 balls. He found a perfect ally in Hasan Nawaz, who provided the necessary aggression to shift the pressure back onto the debutant franchise. Nawaz (53 off 40) took a particular liking to the spin of Marnus Labuschagne, launching two massive sixes into the stands to break the shackles. 

Their 82-run partnership turned the tide, transforming a precarious 25/2 into a solid platform for a late-innings flourish.

The Kingsmen, however, refused to let the game slip away. Maheesh Theekshana removed both Ben McDermott and Khawaja Nafay in the space of three balls. The momentum swung back toward Hyderabad as Akif Javed returned to the attack, his subtle changes of pace accounting for the lower order and preventing the Gladiators from reaching the psychological 190-mark.

It took a blistering cameo from Tom Curran, who hammered 31 off just 18 deliveries, to push the total past 170. Curran’s three sixes in the penultimate over ensured that Quetta’s bowlers would have a competitive total to defend. 

As the sun begins to set over Lahore, the match is delicately poised. The Kingsmen will need a steady start from Saim Ayub and Maaz Sadaqat to secure their first-ever PSL victory.