The HBL PSL debutants Rawalpindiz continue to slide downwards, languishing at the bottom of the PSL 2026 points table with five defeats in as many games.

With their much-hyped off-the-field branding, the Mohammad Rizwan-led side is putting on a completely opposite show on the field, as on the fifth occasion, it’s the Quetta Gladiators who have trounced them by 61 runs in a one-sided encounter at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on Friday night.

While chasing a competitive 183 on a slow surface, skipper Rizwan faltered, getting out in the slips on the very first ball of the innings off left-arm pacer Jahandad Khan.

Although Yasir Khan started scoring at a brisk pace, and a 27-run second-wicket partnership with Usman Khan, playing his first match of PSL 11, began to build, a misunderstanding between the two resulted in Usman being run out in the third over after Hasan Nawaz produced a direct hit from cover.

Eighteen runs later, Yasir also departed for 22 off 14 balls, mistiming a slog sweep against Abrar Ahmed. Daryl Mitchell held his ground with a 30-run knock but kept losing partners at the other end.

Usman Tariq removed Abdullah Fazal for 22, while Kashif Bhatti dismissed Sam Billings for one, as half of the Pindiz batting line was sent back for 82 in 11.5 overs. In the next over, Mitchell also fell, edging a catch straight to Saud Shakeel off his own bowling.

Saad Masood struck a 19-ball 31, but Rawalpindiz were eventually bowled out for 121, as Quetta registered their second win of the season from five matches.

For Quetta, Saud Shakeel, Usman Tariq, and Jahandad Khan picked up two wickets each, while Abrar Ahmed and Kashif Bhatti chipped in with one apiece.

Rossouw, Hasan anchor Quetta’s innings

After being invited to bat first, the Gladiators posted a competitive score on a slow surface. Rille Rossouw’s 53 and Hasan Nawaz’s quick-fire 39 helped them reach 182 for the loss of six wickets in 20 overs.

The Rawalpindiz had the opposition under the pump in the first four overs as Ben Sears cleaned up Sam Harper for eight at the score of 22.

However, at that point, Rossouw and Quetta skipper Saud Shakeel, who scored 42 off 39 balls, took charge. The pair built an 87-run partnership for the second wicket.

On a surface where the Pindiz spinners tightened the runs, the duo kept the scoreboard ticking with smart rotation of strike, while Rossouw tried to strike boundaries from the other end.

In the 15th over, spinner Mubasir Khan broke the partnership, removing Rossouw for 53 off 42 balls, comprising six fours and a six, with Sam Billings taking the catch at long on.

Saud followed suit in the next over, falling victim to Ben Sears at the score of 123. And 15 runs later, Mohammad Amir removed Khawaja Nafay for six, while Bevon Jacobs was removed on the second ball of the 19th over.

But middle-order batter Hasan Nawaz added valuable runs to the Gladiators’ total at the backend with a blazing 39 off just 16 deliveries, studded with five sixes, until eventually falling victim to Ben Sears in the final over.

Meanwhile, Jahandad Khan also scored crucial runs at the backend, scoring an unbeaten 21 off just six deliveries, hitting two sixes and as many fours.

Sears was the pick of the bowlers for the Pindiz, taking three wickets for 41 runs in his four overs, followed by experienced Amir, who bagged two, while Mubasir could claim one.