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In a high-octane Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024 encounter at the National Stadium in Karachi on Tuesday, March 12, a fiery exchange unfolded between Quetta Gladiators‘ batter Jason Roy and Multan Sultans‘ all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed. The incident took place during Quetta’s chase of Multan’s formidable target of 186 runs.
Explosive start derails by David willey
The Quetta’ pursuit of the humongous target set by Multan commenced on a promising note, thanks to the explosive start by the openers Saud Shakeel and Roy. The duo set the stage ablaze in the initial two overs, amassing 18 runs without loss. However, the equilibrium was disrupted when David Willey, representing Multan, claimed the prized wicket of Roy in the third over.
Heated verbal exchange mars Quetta-Multan clash in PSL 2024
Willey’s delivery, a crafty length ball swinging towards the middle stump, eluded Roy’s bat and struck him squarely on the pad, resulting in an emphatic LBW decision by the umpire. As Willey exuberantly celebrated the dismissal, Roy, contemplating whether to opt for the Decision Review System (DRS), was met with unsavory words from Iftikhar during Multan’s celebratory huddle.
Jason Roy vs Iftikhar Ahmed
What ensued was a heated exchange between the English batter and the Pakistani all-rounder, causing a commotion on the field. Multan’s captain, Mohammad Rizwan, swiftly intervened, attempting to diffuse the escalating tension and guide Roy away from the confrontation. Meanwhile, other teammates sought to calm Iftikhar. Amidst this tumult, the critical DRS window for Roy’s LBW decision expired, leaving him unable to challenge the umpire’s call. Ultimately, Roy, having scored just three runs, had to make his way back to the pavilion.
Here’s the video:
heat moments between iftikhar chachu and jason roy pic.twitter.com/S4crrtBz1t
— Babarfied (@THORthayaar) March 12, 2024
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Quetta Gladiators’ struggle
The setback proved detrimental to Quetta as their batting lineup struggled against the opposition’s bowling prowess and was ultimately bundled out for a mere 106 runs in 15.5 overs, losing the contest by 80 runs. Omair Yousuf displayed resilience, contributing 37 runs and offering a semblance of resistance, while Khawaja Nafay‘s 16 off 14 balls was the second-highest score for the Gladiators.
Multan Sultans’ dominance
Earlier, opting to bat first, the Multan skipper, Rizwan, led from the front with an exemplary innings, contributing 69 runs off 47 deliveries. Rizwan’s calculated and commanding approach anchored the innings, providing a solid foundation for the team.
Johnson Charles, not to be outdone, played a scintillating knock. His blistering innings of 53 runs off 29 deliveries included a display of power-hitting and skill, putting the Quetta’s bowlers on the back foot. As the innings progressed, Iftikhar delivered a brilliant cameo towards the end, adding valuable runs to the total. His impactful 20 runs off eight deliveries injected momentum into the Multan’s innings, ensuring a challenging target for the opposition.
PSL playoff scenarios
With this win, Multan reclaimed their top spot in the PSL standings, setting the stage for a high-stakes encounter against Peshawar Zalmi in Qualifier 1 on Thursday, March 14. On the other side of the spectrum, Quetta, finishing in the fourth spot, now face a crucial battle against Islamabad United in Eliminator on Friday, March 15.