The 10th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has kicked off with a bang, featuring electrifying matches reminiscent of the providing a significant platform for young talents to shine. Among the thrilling encounters, the fourth match saw Quetta Gladiators and Lahore Qalandars face off in a contest that ended in a stunning victory for the former by five wickets.
Khawaja Nafay leaves cricket fans in awe
Emerging as the unexpected hero for the Gladiators was Khawaja Nafay. Virtually unknown before this innings, Nafay exploded onto the scene with a destructive performance. Batting at number 3, he smashed an unbeaten 60 runs off just 31 balls, propelling his team to victory. His innings was adorned with 4 fours and 3 sixes, leaving even the seasoned players in awe.
Nafay's innings was particularly remarkable as he took on two of Pakistan cricket's most feared fast bowlers, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf. Afridi, also the captain of Lahore, was at the receiving end of Nafay's aggression, as he was whacked for a six by the 22-year-old right-handed batter.
Nafay was brutal against Haris Rauf as he unleashed two fours and two nonchalant sixes against the searing pace of Pakistan's star fast bowler.
Khawaja Nafay - an unknown commodity
Nafay raced to his half-century in just 27 balls, playing only one dot ball throughout his innings. His rise to prominence was unexpected, with his selection for the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) last year following a viral video on Facebook. Before his PSL debut in 2024, Nafay had no first-class, List A, or non-franchise T20 cricket experience, with only five T20 matches under his belt.
Quetta reigns supreme over Lahore
After electing to bat first, Lahore Qalandars' Sahibzada Farhan was the top scorer for his team with 62 runs, while Jahangir Khan also contributed significantly with 45 runs. Despite their efforts, the Quetta bowlers, particularly Akeel Hosein and Mohammad Hasnain, who each took 2 wickets, kept the pressure on. As a result, Lahore posted a score of 187/7 in 20 overs.
The Gladiators, under the captaincy of Rilee Rossouw, saw a solid start from openers Jason Roy and Saud Shakeel, who scored 24 and 40 runs respectively, setting the stage for Nafay's fireworks.
Lahore's bowlers struggled to make a significant impact, with none managing to take more than one wicket. Afridi and Rauf, along with Sikandar Raza, Zaman Khan, and Salman Fayyaz, each took a wicket, but it wasn't enough to stop the Gladiators' charge led by the sensational Nafay. In the end, Quetta chased down the target with five wickets and as many balls remaining.Â
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