Quetta Gladiators players and officials celebrate with the HBL Pakistan Super League trophy after defeating Peshawar Zalmi by eight wickets at the National Stadium in Karachi yesterday.
Karachi: Quetta Gladiators won their maiden HBL Pakistan Super League title when they defeated Peshawar Zalmi by eight wickets at a packed National Stadium in Karachi yesterday.
Peshawar were limited to 138-8 from their 20 overs, with pace bowler Mohammad Hasnain taking 3-30.
Ex-Australia international Shane Watson fell in the third over of Quetta’s chase, but opening batsman Ahmed Shehzad anchored the innings.
The Pakistan batsman struck 58 from 51 balls to ensure victory.
England internationals Chris Jordan and Tymal Mills both featured for Peshawar in the final.
Jordan finished with 0-38 from three overs while Mills registered figures of 0-31 from his four.
The tournament was the largest cricket activity in Pakistan for 10 years after an attack on the Sri Lanka team bus prevented foreign teams from visiting.
Shane Watson of Quetta Gladiators was named as the Player of the Tournament after the 2007 World Cup winner with Australia finished as the leading run-getter. He was also declared Brighto Best Batsman of the tournament.
Hasan Ali of Peshawar Zalmi was adjudged the Go Lootlo Best Bowler, Luke Ronchi won the Jubilee Safe Hands award while Peshawar Zalmi’s Kieron Pollard was declared the ARIAL and J. Best Player on the Field.
Karachi Kings’ left-arm spinner Umer Khan was named as the newly introduced Emerging Player award.
Islamabad United were declared the winner of Cool & Cool Spirit of Cricket award, which they dedicated to their middle-order batsman Asif Ali in recognition to this commitment to the team despite the ailment of his young daughter.
Yesterday’s closing ceremony saw the legendary Spanish footballer Carles Puyol among thousands of cricket fans and a host of popular figures. Puyol, a former Barcelona defender, is in the southern port city of Karachi to promote next month’s exhibition matches in Pakistan.
Twenty six PSL games were organised in the United Arab Emirates this year, but PCB chairman Ehsan Mani said that from next year the entire PSL schedule will be staged in Pakistan.
Brief scores:
Peshawar Zalmi: 138 for 8 (Amin 38, Hasnain 3-30, Bravo 2-24)
Quetta Gladiators: 139 for 2 (Shehzad 58n.o., Rossouw 39 n.o., Wahab 1-19)
