Twitter Reactions: Mohammad Hasnain and Azam Khan help Quetta Gladiators get off the mark with a win

The 2020 edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) started off with a bang. It was one of those few T20 games where the batsmen didn’t dominate the bowlers a great deal and was pretty much an even contest throughout. Yet, it was the Quetta Gladiators bowlers who applied themselves better. Led by the young Mohammad Hasnain and assisted well by the likes of Ben Cutting and Sohail Khan, the side did well to restrict the opposition to a slightly below-par total.

In fact, the first ball of this edition of the tournament saw a wicket bringing back the memories of IPL 2013 and Brett Lee. Colin Munro ended up dollying one straight back in the hands of Mohammad Nawaz and got out for a duck. Then, the veteran Luke Ronchi was involved in a decent partnership with Dawid Malan. However, he couldn’t go on for a long time. Despite getting a good start, he was dismissed for a 13-ball 23. Hussain Talat, who batted at four, crawled his way to 19 from 22 balls.

Colin Ingram soon followed him back to the pavilion. But Dawid Malan kept toiling hard from one end and set the platform for the Islamabad United by the time he got out for 64 in the 15th over. Yet, the other batsmen couldn’t capitalise. Most of them tried to go too hard and ended up giving away their wickets one after the other. Ultimately, the side was bowled out for 168 in 19.1 overs.

Azam Khan comes to the rescue for the Quetta Gladiators

Gladiators’ opener Jason Roy also got out for a duck in the chase. Shane Watson looked good but was run out while Ahmed Shehzad failed to make an impact. At 26/3, the Quetta Gladiators were reeling before Azam Khan came to the rescue. He was the aggressor in the partnership with skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed who was dismissed for 21 when the scoreboard read 88.

Azam Khan, however, did enough with his 33-ball 59. Mohammad Nawaz and Ben Cutting finished the chase off with quickfire knocks as the side finished the game in 18.3 overs. Twitterati was thrilled to see the 19-year-old Mohammad Hasnain do so well in the game.

Here is how Twitterati reacted:

Quetta's top five batsmen are right-handers but Islamabad didn't play any left-arm spinner (Zafar Gohar in this case). Also sent Talat to bat above Ingram and Shadab above Amad Butt. This is not very Dimagh Se. #PSL2020

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) February 20, 2020

One of the best gesture in sports.This make my country different from the rest.🇵🇰❤#PSL2020 pic.twitter.com/XdHY2piY6W

— Mian Omer 🇵🇰 (@Iam_Mian) February 20, 2020

Quetta Gladiators beat Islamabad United by 3 wickets #QGvIU #PSL2020#PSL5ComesPakistan #PSLV #PSLComesHome #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/1qu1yQNpke

— #PakistanSuperLeague #HBLPSLV #PSL2020 #Cricket (@LiveScoreGEO) February 21, 2020

Yeh wala match tu mazak tha, you know try ball thing..
Ager humari kit lal harpic ki bottle jesi hai tu hum tumhai lal harpic ki tarha bathroom samajh kr saaf krdain ge 🔴🔶shadab#PSL2020 #PSLV #PSL5ComesPakistan #IslamabadUnited

— NERD 🙂 (@parhakoonihon) February 21, 2020

Exceptional batting from Azam Khan.
Next big thing? Too early however, he looks like a brave player who can bat all around the wicket. Kiya pull shot hain ustaad! #AzamKhan #QuettaGladiator #PSLV

— Khurram Saleem (@khurrsaleem) February 21, 2020

Am i the only one who did not watch the last match😥#PSLV

— hodgkin's (@hodgkin91109523) February 21, 2020

First match first win. Here are the gladiators for you. Mubarak 💜🇵🇰#PSLV #QGvIU

— عمارہ مہدی (@Ammara__Younas) February 21, 2020

Today it’s not just #PZvKK it is @iihtishamm vs me 🌝 #PSLV

— Amna Khan🌐 (@amnakhani123) February 21, 2020

I have seen so many negative comments and hatred here ! Sad People talk about fixing the world. What exactly do they want to fix? Let’s go back to our basic teachings of respect, honesty, caring and sharing !!! Show respect to your country #PSLV #HBLPSL #PSL2020

— Marium A Sheikh (@mariumsheikh) February 21, 2020

Oh Yes! Got to know that Quetta Won 😎🔥💃 Ya Allah tera Shukar ❤ Well played Bois ❤#PSLV #PSL5ComesPakistan #QGvIU

— A سے Aنza✨ (@Anzayyyyy) February 21, 2020

Psl Start hogya toh twitter bhi start hogya. Matlab yaar koi player acha nhi khelta toh tweet karte han. #PSLV

— Jawad Bukhsh. (@jaawadbukhsh_) February 21, 2020