Peshawar Zalmi’s captain Daren Sammy (left) and Pakistani captain of Quetta Gladiators cricket team, Sarfraz Ahmed pose for a photograph with the Pakistan Super League Trophy at the National Cricket Stadium in Karachi, yesterday.
Quetta Gladiators hope their in-form opener Shane Watson will make them third time lucky as they look to avoid another knock-out punch from a spirited Peshawar Zalmi when the two teams clash in the sell-out final of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) at the National Stadium in Karachi, today.
Quetta have beaten Peshawar in both the league games this season, before having the better of their arch-rivals in the Wednesday’s Qualifier at the back of a powerful performance, but they are wary of a knock-out punch from the Daren Sammy-led Peshawar.
Despite beating Peshawar in the Qualifiers in 2016 and 2017 in thrilling last-over finishes by one-run, Quetta lost in the 2017 final by 58 runs in Lahore and in the Eliminator 1 last year.
Quetta captain Sarfaraz Ahmed hoped it will be a case of third time lucky.
“We are playing the final for the third time, so we will do our all-out effort to play in the same manner which we have done in the whole tournament,” Sarfaraz told a news conference yesterday.
Last year, Watson decided to stay away for the Eliminators in Lahore, leaving Quetta depleted. But this time Watson, who has amassed 423 runs in the tournament, made a late decision to visit Karachi.
“This time, we are at our full strength, so we will do our best to play like we have done and win the tournament. Obviously, winning the trophy is every captain’s wish. We have come close, but were not able to win. This time, we will do our best, though we have a strong team against us.”
It is befitting for the HBL Pakistan Super League final that the two most in-form teams are in the final, finishing with seven wins and three losses each in the first phase.
Sammy hoped it will be another crackers of a game before a sell-out crowd.
“I like to be the underdogs,” said Sammy. “To be fair, Quetta are playing some good cricket. The key for us is that our bowling unit has pretty much been the same. Hasan has been playing since his debut and Wahab leading the pack and sharing his experience.
“We have some good players, not superstars but effective players. To be able to make three consecutive finals in a row is an achievement.
“Winning the final tomorrow will really be the icing on the cake,” Sammy said.
