LAHORE: Right-arm pacer Hasan Ali came out in support of Quetta Gladiators’ captain Sarfaraz Ahmed briefly after the latter’s side succumbed to a sixth defeat in the ongoing eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
The Gladiators, at the bottom of the points table, had a vital opportunity to seal a much-needed two points to make a case for their playoff qualification when they had Qalandars seven down for just 50 runs in 10 overs.
However, Sikandar Raza’s astounding knock of 71 runs recovered Lahore Qalandars from 50/7 to 148, which their bowlers comfortably defended and powered their side to a convincing 17-run victory.
Gladiators started off well in the run chase with their openers Will Smeed and Yasir Khan raising 50 runs within the powerplay before the former champions ran into a match-defining collapse.
Sarfaraz came out to bat with his side struggling at 64/4 in the 11th over but his inability to play big shots devoided him from pulling it for his side and the Gladiators fell 17 runs short despite their captain remaining unbeaten.
He could score 27 off 28 deliveries and hit only one boundary amid his struggling knock.
Following Gladiators’ flop show, right-arm pacer Hasan, who is representing Islamabad United, came out in support of his former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz and encouraged him to ‘stay strong’.
“Stay strong mera kaptan [Sarfaraz Ahmed],” tweeted Hasan.
Stay strong mera kaptan @SarfarazA_54
— Hassan Ali 🇵🇰 (@RealHa55an) March 2, 2023
It is pertinent to mention that the Gladiators are at the bottom in the PSL 8 standings with just two points in seven matches and need a miraculous turnaround to qualify for the playoff.
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