KARACHI: Khurram Manzoor, who was given his first game of this Pakistan Super League (PSL), and veteran Shane Watson crafted a sparkling 118-run partnership to lead the reigning champions, Quetta Gladiators to a consolation victory against the Karachi Kings here on Sunday.
Quetta, chasing 151, lost Ahmad Shahzad for zero on the board however Khurram Manzoor (63 off 40) and Shane Watson (66 off 34) were clinical with their stroke-play.
Pakistan Test cricketer hit nine fours and a six while his partner from Australia hammered seven fours and four sixes to earn the man of the match award.
Earlier, after winning the coin toss, Karachi Kings lost the destructive Sharjeel Khan in the opening over to Naseem Shah for zero. One half century in the middle by Delport (62 off 44) helped Karachi’s cause to some extend.
Stand-in skipper Babar Azam (32 off 34), Walton (26 off 20) and Iftikhar Ahmed (21 off 17) also chipped in to push Karachi Kings to 150/5 in 20 overs.
After the last group match of the PSL, the semi-final fixtures will be as follows.
On Tuesday, in the first semi-final, Multan Sultans will take on Peshawar Zalmi at the Gaddafi Stadium at 2pm while Karachi Kings will face Lahore Qalandars, in the second semi final, at 7pm.
The final of the PSL will be played at the Gaddafi stadium on Wednesday at 7pm.