Watson, Pietersen script Gladiators’ 67-run win
dubai — Shane Watson’s blistering unbeaten 90 and Kevin Pietersen’s quickfire 52 helped Quetta Gladiators to a convincing 67-run win over Karachi Kings in the third edition of the HBL Pakistan Cricket League at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday night.
The margin of victory was the highest in the history of the PSL in terms of runs.
Karachi won the toss but that was the only thing that went their way as Watson and Asad Shafiq (16) stitched 60 runs for the opening wicket.
More misery was to follow for the Karachi Kings as Kevin Pietersen and Watson joined hands to rip apart the KK attack. They were particularly severe on captain Imad Wasim taking him apart for 25 runs from his two overs.
Watson was the first to reach his half century which was followed soon by Pietersen who didn’t last long after that and departed for 52 from 34 balls with seven hits to the ropes and one which sailed into the stands.
Watson continued to dominate the attack and at one stage it looked like he would get to his century and the team would cross 200 but somehow that did not happen and he had to settle for 90 which came off only 58 balls and included seven massive sixes and five fours.
However, the knock made the Australian the highest scorer (262 runs from 7 innings) of the PSL so far and he received the Hanif Mohammad cap.
Karachi tried promoting Shahid Afridi to open the batting but the move backfired as the former Pakistan skipper played and missed and finally out of frustration gifted his wicket.
Only Babar Azam (32), Imad Wasim (35) and Mohammad Rizwan (26 not out) contributed with the bat in a one-sided contest. Brief scores: Quetta Gladiators 180 for 4 (Watson 90*, Pietersen 52) beat Karachi Kings 113 for 8 (Imad 35; Anwar 2-16, Rahat 2-29) by 67 runs.