KARACHI: Half-centuries by Rilee Rossouw and an all-round performance by Saud Shakeel and Jahandad Khan helped Quetta Gladiators thrash Rawalpindiz by 61 runs, leaving the Pakistan Super League debutants on the verge of elimination.

This was Gladiators’ second win from five matches, while Rawalpindiz have now lost all five. This was also Mohammad Rizwan’s 11th straight PSL defeat and 15th in his last 16 matches, following six losses last year as Multan Sultans captain.

Put in to bat on a slow track, Quetta Gladiators constructed their innings nicely to post 182 for six before making full use of their slow bowlers to dismiss Rawalpindiz for a paltry 121 in 17.3 overs.

Rossouw scored a 42-ball 53 with six fours and a six to top-score from either side and walk away with the Player of the Match award. He featured in a crucial 87-run second-wicket partnership off 67 balls with captain Saud Shakeel, who anchored the innings with a 39-ball 42, including three fours.

Hasan Nawaz accelerated the innings by clubbing five sixes in a 16-ball 39 before Jahandad Khan belted two sixes and two fours in a six-ball 21 not out as Gladiators collected 27 runs in the last two overs to finish on a high.

Ben Sears, playing his first match of the tournament, was the pick of Rawalpindiz’s bowlers with three for 41, while Mohammad Amir took two for 31.

In their run-chase, Rawalpindiz were out of contention as early as the PowerPlay, slipping to 46 for three before crumbling to 121 in 17.3 overs.

Saud Shakeel followed up his 42 with two for four, while Jahandad Khan backed up his six-ball cameo with two for eight. Usman Tariq also had a satisfying day with two for 23, while Abrar Ahmed and Kashif Bhatti took one wicket each.

For Rawalpindiz, allrounder Saad Masood — who made his ODI debut last month in Bangladesh — top-scored with a 19-ball 31 (1×4, 3×6). Daryl Mitchell (30), Yasir Khan (22) and Abdullah Fazal (20) were the other prominent scorers.

Scores in brief:

Match 18 – Quetta Gladiators beat Rawalpindiz by 61 runs

QUETTA GLADIATORS 182-6, 20 overs (Rilee Rossouw 53, Saud Shakeel 42, Hasan Nawaz 39, Jahandad Khan 21 not out; Ben Sears 3-41, Mohammad Amir 2-31)

RAWALPINDIZ 121 all-out, 17.3 overs (Saad Masood 31, Daryl Mitchell 30, Yasir Khan 22, Abdullah Fazal 20; Saud Shakeel 2-4, Jahandad Khan 2-8, Usman Tariq 2-23)

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Rilee Rossouw (Quetta Gladiators)

SATURDAY’S FIXTURES – Lahore Qalandars v Peshawar Zalmi (d/n); Karachi Kings v Hyderabad Kingsmen (n)