Despite the poor odds, Quetta Gladiators still have a chance to advance to the playoffs in the current eighth season of the Pakistan Super League, where they are currently in fifth place with six points after nine games (PSL).
In order to advance to the tournament’s knockout stages, the Gladiators must defeat Multan Sultans today (Saturday) by a significant margin.
Additionally, they require Islamabad United to defeat Peshawar Zalmi by a wide margin on Sunday because the Babar Azam-led Zalmi can still make the playoffs even if they lose their match on Sunday.
The aforementioned games must result in an increase of roughly 100 runs in favour of the Gladiators.
But some of the Gladiators’ performances have earned widespread acclaim for all the right reasons.
In their previous game on Wednesday, their opening batter, Jason Roy, was outstanding with the bat and smashed 145 runs to aid his team in chasing down a record 241-run target set by Zalmi.
Roy scored the highest personal total in the PSL after hitting 20 boundaries and five maximums. The previous record was 127, which Colin Ingram achieved in 2019.
It should be noted that PSL 8’s closing ceremony and championship game will take place on March 19 in Lahore, which will also serve as the site of the playoffs.
In addition to receiving the Supernova Trophy, the victor will also receive a check for Rs120 million, while the losers will each receive a check for Rs48 million.
Lahore Qalandars will try to become the first team to win consecutive championships, while Islamabad United will try to make history by winning the trophy three times.
Remaining PSL 8 schedule
March 11: Quetta Gladiators v Multan Sultans, Pindi Cricket Stadium
March 12: Match 1— Islamabad United v Peshawar Zalmi, Pindi Cricket Stadium; match 2 — Lahore Qalandars v Karachi Kings, Gaddafi Stadium
March 15: Qualifier (1 v 2), Gaddafi Stadium
March 16: Eliminator 1 (3 v 4), Gaddafi Stadium
March 17: Eliminator 2 (loser Qualifier v winner Eliminator 1), Gaddafi Stadium
March 19: Final, Gaddafi Stadium
