Hasan Nawaz seals last-ball win as Quetta Gladiators top PSL league stage

Young batsman Hasan Nawaz once again proved he can bat under pressure as he smashed a fantastic 38-ball 67 not out to enable Quetta Gladiators to finish the HBL PSL X league phase at the summit. They conquered Multan Sultans by two wickets in a last-ball thriller at the Pindi Stadium in Rawalpindi on Sunday.

Chasing 186, Gladiators needed 11 runs off the final over from Mohammad Hasnain and two off the last ball. Hasan Nawaz smashed a superb six to seal a memorable win.

Hasan's batting was a treat to watch. He stood like a rock while wickets fell regularly at the other end before finishing smartly.

Hasan, who completed his fifty off 29 balls, hammered six sixes and two fours in his match-winning knock.

Earlier, opener Khwaja Nafay, who got a chance to showcase his talent, hammered a solid 51 off 26 balls to provide a strong platform for the Gladiators, who secured their seventh win to finish with 15 points at the top of the table.

Nafay, registering his second PSL fifty, struck four sixes and five fours in his impressive knock. He added 77 runs for the opening stand with captain Saud Shakeel (18) to lay the foundation.

After the opening partnership was broken, Gladiators kept losing wickets at regular intervals. A tense battle ensued in the final overs, ultimately ending in Gladiators' triumph.

In the last over by Hasnain, Hasan Nawaz skied one, but wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan couldn’t reach it—it could have been a stunner.

Faheem Ashraf contributed a quick nine-ball 16, including a four and a six, and supported Hasan well in the death overs.

Young fast-bowling all-rounder Shahid Aziz bowled impressively, finishing with 3-29 in his four overs. His scalps included Khwaja Nafay, Avishka Fernando, and Faheem Ashraf.

Mohammad Hasnain, Ubaid Shah, and Australian leg-spinner Peter Hatzoglou claimed one wicket each.

Both sides gave opportunities to several young players in the match.

Earlier, Multan Sultans posted 185-7 in their 20 overs.

In the first game of the double-header, played in scorching heat, Multan Sultans skipper Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and elected to bat first.

However, the Sultans kept losing wickets regularly and eventually posted a respectable total.

Opener Yasir Khan (45) batted superbly. After losing his captain Mohammad Rizwan (4) early, Yasir kept the pressure on the opposition and scored a 25-ball 45 with six fours and two sixes. Off-spinner Usman Tariq trapped him lbw in the ninth over.

Yasir also took on leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed for two sixes and a four in the sixth over, which yielded 18 runs.

He shared a 52-run partnership for the second wicket with young Jahanzaib Sultan, who hit a 21-ball 25 with two fours and a six.

Tayyab Tahir, who also plays for Pakistan in white-ball formats, contributed a solid 24-ball 36, hitting three sixes and two fours.

All-rounder Shahid Aziz played an entertaining late cameo, smashing a 14-ball 29 with two sixes and two fours. Young Muhammad Amir Burki remained not out on 21 off 16 balls, which included one six and one four.

Multan posted 56-1 in the powerplay, reached 82-3 in 10 overs, and were 136-5 after 15. They added 49 runs in the final five overs.

Off-spinner Usman Tariq (3-32) was impressive, claiming three wickets, including those of Yasir Khan and Tayyab Tahir. His bowling action was reported earlier in the season but was later cleared.

Khurram Shahzad, Faheem Ashraf, Abrar Ahmed, and Mohammad Wasim Jr took one wicket each.

Multan Sultans ended the season with just two points from 10 games.

Hasan Nawaz was named Player of the Match for his brilliant knock.