HBL PSL : 1st playoff between Gladiator and Zalmi
At Dubai international Cricket Stadium (Ring of fires)
The first playoff was played between
PESHAWAR ZALMI and QUETTA GLADIATORS which proved a nail biting finish ,
eventually won by QUETTA GLADIATORS with a margin of one run. Against the
run of luck SARFARAZ lost the toss and AFRIDI decided to field first. It was
not a bad start the ZALMI’S took two wickets for just 11 on the board. But the
two legendary batsmen KUMAR SANGAKARA and KP got right back the
GLADIATORS in the game. SANGA made 37 and KP made 54 and they added 79
runs for the 3rd wicket. As long as these two remain on the wicket
it looked so easy but as they departed the team proved to be a wall
of sand and able to add only 27 runs after the departure of KP on 106. The
whole team scored a low total of 133 all out in 19 .3 overs. Here we should not
forget about the bowling of the inform WAHAB RIAZ. He took 3 wicket for 15 runs
in 4 overs.
In reply ZALMI’ S were quite indiscipline in chasing this
low total. The pressure of this game got better of the ZALMI’S. They lost
wickets at regular intervals. And the hopes of the ZALMI’S almost
demolished after AFRIDI’S departure on just 83 on the board. Still 51 runs in 5
overs but D. SAMMY and the man for ZALMI’S WAHAB RIAZ once again rescue the
team and made it a nail biting finish. SAMMY got out on a wrong time when ZAMLI
needed 21 runs in 2 overs. But then HASSAN anWAHAB made it very excited to
bring the match to the last over but unfortunately both the batsmen god t out
at a wrong time when 3 on 3 was required.This exciting match won by the
GLADIATORS by 1 run. But still win remains win.
Well, it was a nail biting
finish as it went down to the wire and last ball of the match became the
decider. As we know that such leagues are domestic tournament so any team wins
spectators enjoy such thrillers which is not only good for the spectators also
ICC and for the ground management to earn money and have good business. All
these are required for sponsors , ICC, players , ground staff and for the spectators
no doubt.
The
other aspect that should be a consideration is that these leagues give huge
amount of tension to the owners of the teams. Last match was a good example of
this situation. Both the owners were under huge amount of pressure. Such games
increase the interest of spectators.