PSL 2026: Shamyl, Nawaz and Abrar help Gladiators open account

Match Overview

Half-centuries from Shamyl Hussain (54 off 41) and Hasan Nawaz (53 off 40) followed by a spirited performance with the ball, secured a 40-run win for Quetta Gladiators against Hyderabad Kingsmen in PSL 2026.

After choosing to bat first, Quetta notched up 174 for 8 riding on the Hussain and Nawaz’s 89-run partnership off 61 balls for the third wicket after being rocked early by Hyderabad pacer Riley Meredith, who dismissed captain and opener Saud Shakeel and No. 3 Rilee Rossouw inside the powerplay. Hussain struck three fours and as many sixes in his half-century, while Nawaz smacked two fours and three sixes in his knock.

The partnership was eventually broken in the 14th over as Meredith removed Hussain to pick his third wicket. Maheesh Theekshana barged into the opening created by Meredith, dismissing Khawaja Nafay and Ben McDermott off successive deliveries in the 15th over before Nawaz was run out in the 16th. Tom Curran rescued the innings after the brief stutter, hitting three sixes in his 18-ball 31 to take the Gladiators to past 170.

In response, Hyderabad made an ominous start to the chase, losing their openers Saim Ayub and Maaz Sadaqat in the first two overs, with Alzarri Joseph and Abrar Ahmed giving the team early breakthroughs. Abrar returned to remove Usman Khan in the powerplay, which Hyderabad finished at 37 for 3.

Marnus Labuschagne showed some fight in his 23 off 21, but there was no support from the other end as Abrar and Usman Tariq tightened the noose in the middle-overs. Tariq sent back Syed Ali cheaply while Labuschagne perished to Saud Shakeel in the very next over, leaving his team precariously placed at 57 for 5 near the halfway mark in the innings.

Irfan Khan (33 off 25) and Hassan Khan (31 off 19) tried to save the sinking ship with a 48-run stand for the sixth wicket, but Ahmed Daniyal saw the back of Hassan to end any chances of a late turnaround, with Hyderabad eventually finishing 134 for 8.

Top run-scorer of the match

Top wicket-taker of the match

Player of the match

Shamyl Hussain

Shamyl Hussain, playing his only second PSL match, showed great composure and smarts in his highly calculated knock that resurrected Gladiators' innings after the early wickets of captain Saud Shakeel and Rilee Rossouw in the powerplay. He hit three fours and sixes apiece in his calculated 54 off 41, while being involved in an invaluable 89-run stand for the third wicket with fellow half-centurion Hasan Nawaz.

What the captains said

Winning Team Captain, Saud Shakeel (Quetta Gladiators)

(On the score) 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. We were thinking if we could get 2-3 wickets in the powerplay, this (score) would be difficult to chase. (On the salute) It was for Daniyal. The way Daniyal has bowled today (sticking to his line and length), it is very rare to see.

Losing Team Captain, Marnus Labuschagne (Hyderabad Kingsmen)

(Alarming factors to work on) Both games, we have lost 2-3 wickets in the powerplay and that stems the flow of runs. They (Ayub and Maaz) are great players and we know they will come good. The back-end (also needs improving). Through the middle, we have been good. Theekshana was really good (today and brought us back). Last two overs went for 28, so just working out our options and getting them right. But the only way is up. (On the fielding) Myself, dropped a sitter. We are training really well and the results will come off the back of that.