Rawalpindi, May 18, 2025: A sensational last-ball six from Hassan Nawaz powered Quetta Gladiators to a dramatic two-wicket win over Multan Sultans, taking them to the top of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 points table at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing a formidable 186-run target, Quetta’s innings began in high gear with captain Saud Shakeel and Khawaja Nafay launching an aggressive assault in the powerplay. The pair put together a brisk 60-run stand, laying a strong platform for the chase.
Nafay was in electric form, smashing a 51 off 26 balls with five fours and four towering sixes at a strike rate of 196.15, before being dismissed by Shahid Aziz. Soon after, Shakeel fell for a sluggish 18 off 24, leaving Quetta at 81/2 in 8.5 overs.
Debutant Avishka Fernando failed to make an impact, dismissed for 7, also by Shahid Aziz. At 87/3, pressure began to mount on the Gladiators.
Veteran Dinesh Chandimal added quick runs with Hassan Nawaz, pushing the score past 100. Chandimal contributed a valuable 17 off 10 before falling to Ubaid Shah. The middle order faltered, with Danish Aziz falling for a duck and Faheem Ashraf departing for 16, leaving Quetta at 159/6 in the 18th over.
A run-out claimed Mohammad Wasim Jr. for 1, and the game looked headed for a Multan victory. But Hassan Nawaz remained unfazed.
With 11 needed off the final over, the young batter showed nerves of steel. On the very last delivery, Nawaz launched the ball over the boundary to complete a remarkable win, remaining unbeaten on a match-winning 67 off 38 balls.
Earlier, Multan, asked to bat first, got off to a lively start with Yasir Khan hitting consecutive boundaries in the opening over. However, they lost captain Mohammad Rizwan early, bowled by Faheem Ashraf for just 4.
Yasir partnered with Jahanzeib Sultan to add 52 runs for the second wicket. Jahanzeib made 25 before falling to Usman Tariq, who also removed Yasir for a fluent 45 off 25.
Tayyab Tahir and Humayon Altaf added a steady 41-run partnership, but wickets continued to fall at crucial moments. Altaf was dismissed for 16, and Peter Hatzoglou fell cheaply to Abrar Ahmed.
Aamer Azmat provided a late boost with 21 not out off 16, while Shahid Aziz hit a quickfire 29 off 14 before being dismissed by Mohammad Wasim Jr. Mohammad Hasnain finished the innings with a boundary, lifting Multan to a competitive 185/7.
