Khawaja Nafay etched his name in Pakistan Super League (PSL) history on Monday with a scintillating unbeaten knock that powered Quetta Gladiators to a five-wicket victory over Lahore Qalandars. Chasing a target of 188, Nafay smashed a boundary-laden 60 off just 31 balls, his innings laced with three sixes and four fours at a staggering strike rate of 193.55.
But it wasn’t just the runs that made Nafay’s knock special. According to Grassroots Cricket, in the history of the PSL, no batsman facing 25 or more balls had ever scored without a single dot ball. Nafay defied the odds, facing just one dot ball while dispatching the rest of the deliveries to the boundary or gaps. This unique feat adds another layer to his impressive performance and highlights his exceptional stroke-making ability.
Nafay’s knock anchored the Gladiators’ chase, ensuring they never lost control of the pursuit. He stitched a crucial partnership with Saud Shakeel, taking the game deep before finishing it off in style with a boundary off Zaman Khan. This win marks Quetta’s second consecutive victory in PSL 2024, placing them firmly at the top of the table.
Meanwhile, Lahore Qalandars are yet to get off the mark, suffering their second straight defeat. Despite Sahibzada Farhan’s enterprising 62 and a cameo from Jahandad Khan, their total of 187 proved insufficient against Nafay’s brilliance and the Gladiators’ disciplined bowling attack.
With four matches already played in the tournament, excitement is building for the fifth encounter between Islamabad United and Multan Sultans on Tuesday. Both teams come into the match with impressive wins under their belt, promising a thrilling contest. While Sultans started their campaign with a dominating victory over Karachi Kings, United defeated Qalandars in their opening encounter.
Also, see:
Quetta Gladiators Soar to Second Successive Win in PSL 9, Nafay Shines with Unbeaten Fifty
