Quetta Gladiators faced Peshawar Zalmi in match no. 25 of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2023 at the Pindi Club Ground in Rawalpindi on Wednesday (March 8) and scripted history by chasing down the 241-run target.
Electing to bat first on a batter-friendly pitch, Peshawar got off to a flying start and put up a mammoth total of 240 for the loss of two wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Babar Azam scored a blistering ton and contributed 115 runs to the team’s total. Saim Ayub also played a handy knock of 74 off 34 deliveries for Peshawar. Meanwhile, Dwaine Pretorius was the only bowler to pick up a wicket for Quetta.
In reply, Quetta easily chased down the impossible-looking target, courtesy of Jason Roy’s sensational century. Roy smashed a brilliant 145 off 63 balls, consisting of 20 fours and five sixes. He was well supported by Mohammad Hafeez (41) and Will Smeed (26). Roy’s unbeaten ton helped Quetta complete the run chase in 18.2 overs, and they eventually defeated the Babar-led side by eight wickets.
Roy, oh ROY!
Celebrate all you want @TeamQuetta 😍#SabSitarayHumaray l #HBLPSL8 I #PZvQG pic.twitter.com/QghDUv9BQ9— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 8, 2023
On the other hand, Mujeeb ur Rehman and Wahab Riaz scalped a wicket each for Peshawar but failed to get their team through and, unfortunately, ended up on the losing side.
For his brilliant innings, Roy was adjudged ‘Player of the Match’. The right-handed opener’s 145 is the highest score in the history of PSL. Speaking about his knock in the post-match presentation, Roy said he’s extremely happy.
“Just went out there and had some fun. Had to go hard from ball one, on that wicket and with these boundaries, it was a hell of a lot of fun. It was one of those days, it came off, extremely happy. On pitches like these, you have to play proper shots, very tough for the bowlers. This gives us something to smile about, we have got the players but this tournament we have come up short. Really up there, especially in T20 cricket, it does not happen that often and I will cherish every moment,” said Roy.
