Hussnain, Shahzad lift Quetta Gladiators to first PSL title
By:Asghar Ali Mubarak
The Rookie paceman Mohammad Hussnain grabbed three crucial wickets while opener Ahmed Shehzad scored a brilliant half century to steer Quetta Gladiators to their maiden HBL PSL title by beating Peshawar Zalmi in the final by eight wickets in Karachi .
Hussnain’s 3-30 in four overs kept Peshawar down to 138-8 in 20 overs before Shehzad’s 51-ball 58 not out with six boundaries and a six helped Quetta to overhaul the modest target in 17.5 overs much to the joy of a packed 32,000 National stadium.
Shehzad made sure Quetta did not lose track after losing their prolific opener Shane Watson for just seven in the third over with the total at 19. Shehzad added 47 for the second wicket with Ahsan Ali who made 18-ball 25 with a six and three boundaries.
Shehzad then led his team towards the target with another solid unbroken stand of 73 with Rilee Rossouw who made 39 not out off 32 balls with five boundaries.
Rossouw hit the winning single as title deprived Quetta players raced to the pitch to congratulate the unbeaten batsmen and hugged each other. Once the celebrations slowed down the stadium was lit up with a eye-catching firework.
Quetta had lost the 2016 final to Islamabad and another final to Peshawar a year later.
Hussnain was delighted at being man of the match.
“I am thankful to Almighty a chance to play the final and then be man of the match,” said Hussnain, who is also in Pakistan’s squad for the five-match ODI series against Australia.
“I got enormous support from the whole Quetta camp and everyone helped me achieve this much in the HBL PSL.”
Winning skipper Sarfraz Ahmed stated
“Thanks Almighty for giving us this honour,” said Sarfraz. “I am grateful to the crowd for coming here and support us.
Peshawar skipper Sammy admitted his team did not put up a fighting total.
“Yes, we did not score big runs,” said Sammy. “Congrats to Quetta. Today they proved why they beat us in all matches this season but we are still proud that we came this far in this tournament and hard luck to us.”
Peshawar’s innings could not set out as intended, with Imam-ul-Haq and Kamran Akmal parted at the score of four. Imam miscued a lofted shot of Sohail Tanvir and was caught by Ahmed Shehzad for three.
Kamran, who with Imam had put 135 in the win over Islamabad in the second qualifier on Friday, cracked three boundaries and a six but was bowled off spinner Mohammad Nawaz as he failed to connect a shot after jumping out of his crease.
Sohaib Maqsood, who scored run-a-ball 20 with three boundaries, added 31 for the third wicket with Umar but the scored at slow pace which allowed Quetta bowlers to attack.
Maqsood was dismissed by Dwayne Bravo while Amin holed out of Hussnain.
Peshawar had expected Kieron Pollard to add some fire to the batting but he too fell to Hussnain, caught behind for seven while Darren Sammy scored 18 with two boundaries. Dwayne Bravo finished with 2-24.
Sarfraz received the glittering Swarovski crystal trophy from President Arif Alvi along with a prize money of half million US dollars while Peshawar received 200,00 dollars.
Islamabad won the inaugural title in 2016 and then doubled it with another last year. Peshawar paceman Hasan Ali received the best bowler’s award, taking 25 wickets. Watson won the dual prizes of player of the HBL PSL and batsman’s award by scoring 430 runs in 12 matches.
Karachi Kings’s left-arm spinner Umar Khan was declared best emerging player of the league, taking 15 wickets.
Quetta Gladiators beat Peshawar Zalmi by eight wickets in HBL PSL final
Brief Scores:
Peshawar Zalmi 138-8 (Umar Amin 38; Mohammad Hussnain 3-30)
Quetta Gladiators 139-2 in 17.5 overs (Ahmed Shehzad 58 not out).
The Australian player Shane Watson named Player of HBL PSL 2019.
The World Cup winner also chosen as Brighto Best Batsman of HBL PSL 2019 by an independent panel that comprised Mudassar Nazar, Ramiz Raja and Danny Morrison.
Hasan Ali, Kieron Pollard, Luke Rochi and Umer Khan also win big; Islamabad United dedicate Cool & Cool Spirit of Cricket award to Asif Ali.
Shane Watson of Quetta Gladiators was named as the Player of HBL PSL 2019 after the 2007 World Cup winner with Australia finished as the leading run-getter in the 32-day tournament, which culminated at the National Stadium Karachi.
Watson finished the series with 430 runs from 12 matches at an average of 43 and a strike-rate of 143.8. He clubbed most number of fours and sixes in the tournament, 43 and 22, respectively.
Watson won player of the match awards against Islamabad United, when he scored 81 not out, Peshawar Zalmi, when he scored 91 not out, and again versus Peshawar Zalmi in the Qualifier, when he top-scored with 71 and then bowled the crucial last-over of the match to help his side win by 10 runs.
Watson, for his consistency with the bat and proving to be one of the decisive factors in Gladiators’ title-winning campaign, was also declared Brighto Best Batsman of HBL PSL 2019.
Hasan Ali of Peshawar Zalmi was adjudged the Go Lootlo Best Bowler of HBL PSL 2019. The fast bowler picked up crucial wickets and finished the series with 25 wickets at an average of 13 with an economy-rate of just under seven.
Hasan took four wickets in a match three times.
Luke Ronchi won the Jubilee Safe Hands of HBL PSL 2019 award when he dismissed 11 batsmen behind the stumps, while Peshawar Zalmi’s Kieron Pollard was declared the ARIAL and J. Best Player on the Field, when he finished the series with 284 runs, five wickets and 10 catches.
Karachi Kings’ left-arm spinner Umer Khan was named as the newly introduced Emerging Player of HBL PSL 2019 award. The 18-year-old mesmerised the top-order of all the sides and claimed 15 prized scalps at an economy-rate of just over 7.
Islamabad United was declared the winner of Cool & Cool Spirit of Cricket award, which they dedicated to their middle-order batsman Asif Ali in recognition to this commitment to the team despite the ailment of his young daughter.
The individual winners were chosen by an independent panel, which included Mudassar Nazar (Chairman, Event Technical Committee), and also comprised respected commentators Ramiz Raja and Danny Morrison.
Winners:
Cool & Cool Spirit of Cricket – Islamabad United
Emerging Player of HBL PSL 2019 – Umer Khan (Karachi Kings)
ARIAL and J. Best player on the field – Kieron Pollard (Peshawar Zalmi)
Jubilee Safe Hands of HBL PSL 2019 – Luke Ronchi (Islamabad United)
Go Lootlo Best Bowler of HBL PSL 2019 – Hasan Ali (Peshawar Zalmi)
Brighto Best Batsman of HBL PSL 2019 – Shane Watson (Quetta Gladiators)
· HBL Player of PSL 2019 – Shane Watson (Quetta Gladiators)
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