Picture Credit: X/PSL
Pacer Hasan Ali imitated his Pakistan colleague Abrar Ahmed in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 match between Karachi Kings and Quetta Gladiators played at the National Bank Stadium on April 18. Batting first after winning the toss, Karachi posted 175 runs on the board in their 20 overs. James Vince starred with his bat and played a 70-run knock off just 47 balls. Chasing the target, Gladiators could score only 119/9 in their 20-over quota. Vince received the player of the match (POTM) for the innings.
In the 19th over of Quetta’s innings, Hasan cleaned up Abrar and celebrated in the spinner’s style. The speedster screamed "Oye" and gave the spinner a head-nod send-off. Following the celebration, the pacer went to Abrar, hugged him and gave a pat on his back. Abrar’s send-off grabbed a lot of eyeballs after his celebration against Shubman Gill in the high-octane Champions Trophy 2025 game between India and Pakistan, played in Dubai in February. Following that incident, Ahmed received a lot of flak from some former Pakistan players for celebrating the wicket in a tight situation.
Hasan Ali plays the role of wrecker-in-chief against Gladiators
Saving a total of 175, Karachi Kings vice-captain Hasan Ali stepped up and bowled exceptionally well. In his four-over spell, he gave away only 27 runs and took three wickets. Quetta’s batting unit performed miserably in the chase. Except for captain Saud Shakeel, no mainstay batter could deliver decent innings to the team.
It was tailender Mohammmad Amir’s batting effort (30 off 16) that helped Quetta to reach 119 runs in their 20 overs. Quetta have lost two consecutive games after winning their opening match against Peshawar Zalmi. They are now in the fourth spot on the points table. Karachi bounced back exceptionally after their 65-run defeat against Lahore Qalandars and they have now gained the third spot on the tally with two wins and a loss.
