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PSL 2023: Sarfaraz faces all the heat for Quetta's continuous failures

Sarfaraz scored 27 off 28 balls against Lahore

By Web Desk

March 02, 2023

Sarfaraz Ahmed plays a shot against Lahore Qalandars - PCB

Quetta Gladiators have been suffering to find the right combinations so far in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 8.

Out of six matches in this tournament as of yet, Gladiators have managed to win just one. They are currently last on the points table.

Following the poor performance, people highly criticised Gladiators' skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed who scored 27 off 28 balls in their latest loss against Lahore Qalandars on Thursday.

Here's fans' reaction:

Sarfaraz has failed to prove his presence so far in this tournament. He has so far scored 130 runs in six matches. His strike rate of 103.17 has remained point of discussion.

Last on the points table, Gladiators will look to find winning ways in the remaining matches. Their chances to qualify for the playoffs are in danger.

Qalandars defeated Gladiators by 17 runs during the 18th match of the ongoing PSL season eight at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Chasing a target of 149 runs, Quetta were restricted to 131-7 in 20 overs.

Yasir Khan and Will Smeed added 53 runs for the first wicket before the former was dismissed after scoring 14 runs in 15 balls on the final delivery of the powerplay bowled by Haris Rauf.

Meanwhile, Rashid Khan sent Smeed back to the hut after trapping the batter in front of the stumps. The right-hander scored 32 runs in 25 balls.

Mohammad Hafeez (2) was run-out after a direct hit by Fakhar Zaman crashed into the stumps.

In his last over, Rashid also secured the important wicket of Iftikhar Ahmed to add pressure on Quetta. The Afghanistan leg-spinner finished with impressive figures of 2-14 in four overs.

Quetta's hopes were further dented when Martin Guptill, 15 runs in 20 balls, sent one straight down cow corner's throat off the bowling of David Wiese.

With the required run-rate climbing, Quetta were not able to score the boundaries at the backend of the innings and kept losing wickets.

Sarfaraz Ahmed remained unbeaten on 27 runs but took 28 balls to get there.