PSL 2023: Wahab Riaz gives heartening send off to Martin Guptill; kisses latter's helmet
Quetta Gladiators won the match by eight wickets.
Pakistan fast bowler Wahab Riaz was seen kissing the helmet of Martin Guptill after dismissing him in match 25 of the Pakistan Super League on Wednesday, March 8. In the match played between Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators at the Pindi Club Ground in Rawalpindi, Riaz picked up the first wicket for Zalmi who were defending 240 in the match.
The speedster bowled a short delivery as Guptill tried to pull it but could only manage to top edge it making the ball go high in the night sky. Riaz got underneath it and took a simple catch to complete a caught and bowled dismissal.
After grabbing the ball safely in his hands, the Pakistan speedster, in a friendly gesture, kissed the helmet of Guptill as he walked back to the pavilion. The duo was also seen having a friendly chat as the Gladiators’ opener marched on towards the dugout. The camaraderie between the two was loved by fans on social media.
Watch the video here:
Coming back to the match, after opting to bat first, Zalmi batters came out with a clear intent of taking down the Gladiators' bowling attack. Led by captain Babar Azam, they started the innings scoring at a brisk rate of 12 runs per over. They ended up posting a massive total of 240/2 in their allotted 20 overs as Babar played a scintillating knock of 115 off 65 balls. He was well supported by Saim Ayub (74 off 34) and Rovman Powell (35 off 18).
Jason Roy comes out all guns blazing
In reply, Gladiators were unfazed by the huge score on the board and got off to a flying start scoring 41 off 2.5 overs. After Guptill departed for 21 off 8 balls, Roy took the innings forward and played arguably one of the greatest knocks ever in T20 cricket.
He ended up scoring 145* off 63 balls smashing 20 fours and five sixes in his innings. Roy got good support from Mohammad Hafeez (41* off 18) as the Gladiators chased down the target in 18.2 overs having eight wickets in hand.
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