PSL: Rossouw, Nawaz centuries power Gladiators to record total and crushing win

Dubai: Twin centuries by Rilee Rossouw and Hasan Nawaz propelled Quetta Gladiators to a record score in the Pakistan Super League and inflicted a heavy defeat on Islamabad United on Wednesday.

The fourth consecutive loss leaves the defending champions, who began the season with five straight wins, in third place with 10 points — and in a must-win situation for their final group game against Karachi Kings on May 10 to keep their top-two hopes alive.

Injuries and forced squad reshuffles, as captain Salman Ali Agha admitted, have derailed United’s campaign. And on Wednesday, the Gladiators delivered the most punishing blow yet. The win took Quetta to the top of the table and gave their net run rate a massive boost ahead of the playoffs.

Put in to bat, the Gladiators produced a ruthless display of power-hitting to post a PSL record total of 263 for 3. Rossouw and Nawaz led the onslaught with blazing hundreds. Rossouw teed off from the outset, while Nawaz kept the momentum going and shifted gears after Rossouw’s dismissal. His ton came off the last ball of the innings, met with a standing ovation from Sir Vivian Richards and the Quetta dugout. In all, the Gladiators hammered 160 runs in the final ten overs.

Chasing 264, United crumbled under scoreboard pressure. Mohammad Amir, back in the XI, struck twice in his opening over — trapping Kyle Mayers for a duck and removing Sahibzada Farhan. He added the wicket of Agha Salman in the third over, underlining the new-ball threat he possesses.

By the ninth over, United were 68 for 8, reeling from Amir’s early burst and Abrar Ahmed’s spin. Abrar outfoxed Haider Ali and Jason Holder to finish with 2 for 17, ensuring there was no lower-order fightback. Only Imad Wasim (56) and Dwarshuis (31) offered resistance, playing primarily to limit the damage to net run rate.