LAHORE: Quetta Gladiators captain Saud Shakeel expressed satisfaction with his side’s performance after their convincing 40-run win over Hyderabad Kingsmen in the PSL 2026 clash at the Gaddafi Stadium. Shakeel highlighted the importance of batting maturity and disciplined bowling in securing the result.
Talking about the innings, Shakeel said the team had assessed the conditions well. “The pitch was on the dry side, this score (175–180) was what this pitch needed. The way Hassan and Shamyl batted, that maturity was required. The way Curran finished, it gave us momentum and we took it into our bowling,” he explained.
Shakeel revealed that the team’s plan was to strike early with the ball. “We were thinking if we could get 2–3 wickets in the powerplay, this (score) would be difficult to chase,” he noted. The Gladiators’ bowlers executed the plan effectively, with Abrar Ahmed and Ahmed Daniyal leading the charge to restrict Hyderabad to 134 for eight.
The captain also dedicated his post-match salute gesture to teammate Ahmed Daniyal, praising his disciplined spell. “It was for Daniyal. The way Daniyal has bowled today (sticking to his line and length), it is very rare to see,” Shakeel said, acknowledging the young pacer’s impact in the victory.
