Rilee Rossouw smashed 76 off 53 balls to march Quetta Gladiators to victory in their PSL clash against Karachi Kings on Saturday. 

The victory placed Gladiators firmly on top of the table with two wins in two and Rossouw led the charge with a Man of the Match performance.

The Kings, housing big name players namely Chris Gayle, Kumar Sangakkara and Kieron Pollard, posted 159 in their 20 overs. Local youngster, Babar Azam, stood out and scored 50 off 42 to help his side post a competitive total. Sangakkara helped the 22-year-old by scoring a handy 25 off 22 but there was no other worthy performances.

The Gladiators lost three early wickets which included a Kevin Pieterson golden duck. With the Gladiators on 30-3, Rossouw and Sarfraz Ahmed (56 off 42) were left with the challenge of taking their side to 160-3 and a seven-wicket victory.

Rossouw was instrumental in his first competetive game outside SA since signing a Kolpak deal with Hampshire against Lahore on Friday, anchoring his side’s innings with 60 off 47 balls. He took this momentum into Saturday’s clash, with 40 of his runs coming off 21 balls. He finished the match unbeaten and had scored seven fours and three sixes.

 

Photo: @live_PSL2017