KARACHI: Quetta Gladiators` miserable campaign in the HBL Pakistan Super League ended on Wednesday in an ignominious exit from the playoff race for the second straight season when the former champions crashed to a record 110-run defeat against Multan Sultans at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Needing a victory to keep themselves alive in the competition, Quetta were blown away for 73 in a matter of just 12.1 overs by the ruthlessness of Multan`s brilliant all-round game in a matter of just 12.1 overs. This was their lowest ever total in the PSL, surpassing the 90 they mustered against Peshawar Zalmi in the 2017 final at Lahore.
Wednesday`s defeat was Quetta`s seventh loss in nine fixtures.
The margin of victory was the largest by runs in PSL history, improving on Islamabad United`s 71-run defeat of Lahore Qalandars at Lahore last year.
The Gladiators` capitulation was always on the cards once openers Jake Weatherald and Usman Khan failed to begin the 184-run chase with a big partnership.
In fact, the highest stand of theinnings was for that first wicket before the innings disintegrated with any trace of a fightback. A couple of run-outs haunted Sarfaraz Ahmed`s charges and the nadir came when the 2019 title winners lost four wickets for no run in the space of five balls.
Pakistan-born South African leg spinner Imran Tahir came perilously close to taking a hat-trick.
