Quetta guarantee PSL top spot with win over Multan
Quetta Gladiators secured top spot in the Pakistan Super League with a final-ball victory over Multan Sultans.Chasing a target of 186, Hasan Nawaz saw his side to victory, striking an unbeaten 67 from 38 balls as Quetta won by two wickets.Needing 11 from Mohammad Hasnain's final over, Nawaz could only score two from the first three balls, but struck the fourth for a six down the ground.Abrar Ahmed was then run out looking to complete a second run, but Nawaz remained on strike for the final delivery of the match, and he repeated his clearance of long-off to win the game in style.Bottom side Multan chose to bat after winning the toss in Rawalpindi, and opener Yasir Khan got them off to a good start, striking 45 from 25 balls.He was joined by Jahanzaib Sultan (25) for a second-wicket partnership of 52, but both batters fell to spinner Usman Tariq, who took 3-32.Tariq also accounted for Tayyab Tahir, who hit a 24-ball 36, while Shahid Aziz (29) and Aamer Azmat (21 not out) also chipped in as Multan reached 185-7.Khawaja Nafay got the reply off to a flier, hitting 51 from 26 balls in an opening partnership of 77 with Saud Shakeel (18).Having looked comfortable, Quetta slipped from 116-3 to 161-7 in the 18th over, with seamer Shahid Aziz taking 3-29. Dilshan Madushanka's penultimate over went for just six, but Nawaz would carry the leaders over the line.Quetta are now guaranteed top spot, and will face the second-placed team in the qualifier match on 1 May.The winner of that game progresses to the final four days later, while the loser plays the winner of the first eliminator game between third and fourth.Meanwhile Multan conclude their sorry campaign with just one win from their ten games.Scorecard, PSL fixtures & results, table
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