Usman puts Gladiators to the sword, Abbas grabs a hat-trick.

LAHORE -- Multan Sultans opener Usman Khan put his former franchise Quetta Gladiators to the sword and fast bowler Abbas Afridi registered a hat-trick to help Peshawar Zalmi to qualify for the HBL Pakistan Super League Eliminator 1 at Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.

Usman, who played six matches for the Gladiators in 2021, hit a ruthless and destructive 43- ball 120 as Multan Sultans posted the league's highest total of 262 for three. Abbas Afridi then recorded a split hat-trick and finished with figures of five for 47 as Quetta Gladiators put up a strong fight before finishing at 253 for eight.

The match aggregate of 515 runs was a new world record, beating the match aggregate of 501 runs between the Titans and Knights in the CSA T20 Challenge in 2022. Gladiators, who needed to achieve the target in 10.3 overs and then hope Peshawar Zalmi lose heavily on Sunday to progress to the playoffs, ended their campaign with three wins and seven defeats. Karachi Kings are presently languishing at the bottom of the table, but will have chance to finish ahead of the Gladiators when they will face Lahore Qaladars at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday. However, to make it happen, they will have to beat the side that has recorded seven victories and has already...