Rossouw, Shakeel lead Gladiators to dominant win as Rawalpindiz sink further

Quetta Gladiators delivered a commanding all-round performance to hand Rawalpindiz their fifth consecutive defeat, winning by 61 runs and pushing their opponents to the brink of elimination from the league stage.

Batting first after being put in, Quetta posted a competitive 182 for 6 on a tricky surface in Karachi. Rilee Rossouw anchored the innings with a composed 53 off 42 balls—his first half-century of the season—while Saud Shakeel contributed a steady 42 off 39 deliveries. The pair stitched together a crucial 87-run partnership, navigating a pitch that offered grip and inconsistent bounce.

The late surge came from the power-hitters. Hasan Nawaz unleashed a brutal assault, smashing 39 off just 16 balls with five towering sixes, while Jahandad Khan provided the finishing touches with a blistering unbeaten 21 off six deliveries. Their explosive hitting propelled Gladiators to 182, with 88 runs coming in the final seven overs.

In response, Rawalpindiz’s chase never found momentum. Mohammad Rizwan fell on the very first ball, edging Jahandad to slip, setting the tone for a disastrous innings. A brief 27-run stand between Usman Khawaja and Yasir Khan offered some hope, but a mix-up resulted in Khawaja’s run-out, triggering a dramatic collapse.

Rawalpindiz lost four wickets for just five runs around the halfway mark, effectively ending the contest. Saad Masood attempted a late fightback with a quickfire 31 off 19 balls, but the damage had already been done. The innings folded for 121 in 17.3 overs.

Quetta’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure, with Shakeel also contributing with the ball, picking up two wickets, while Jahandad and others chipped in with key breakthroughs.

There was a brief moment of tension earlier in the match when Daryl Mitchell twice stepped away due to Usman Tariq’s pause in delivery stride. However, the situation was defused quickly after umpire intervention, and both players later exchanged handshakes.

The match fittingly ended in chaotic fashion for Rawalpindiz, with a run-out sealing their fate—symbolic of an error-strewn campaign marked by poor fielding and fragile batting.

With this defeat, Rawalpindiz remain winless halfway through the tournament and now face an uphill battle to stay alive. Meanwhile, Quetta Gladiators register their second win in five matches, keeping their playoff hopes intact.