Quetta Gladiators Face Scrutiny After Bizarre PSL Selection Mix-Up
The Pakistan Super League (PSL) faced administrative scrutiny following a roster miscommunication during Match 26 between the Quetta Gladiators and defending champions Lahore Qalandars. A replacement player, Sri Lankan veteran Dinesh Chandimal, took the field alongside South African batter Bevon Jacobs—the exact player he was officially registered to replace.
Pre-Match Roster Confusion
Prior to the match, the Quetta Gladiators announced Chandimal would step into the squad for Jacobs. During the toss, however, captain Saud Shakeel confirmed both players were listed in the starting Playing XI. The direct contradiction of the official franchise announcement generated immediate fan confusion and prompted questions regarding tournament protocol.
Franchise general manager Nabeel Hashmi later addressed the discrepancy to clear up the sequence of events. Hashmi stated that English all-rounder Tom Curran fell ill shortly before the match, forcing an emergency lineup adjustment. Instead of replacing Jacobs, team management inserted Chandimal to cover for Curran, which allowed both Chandimal and Jacobs to start the match.
Match 26: Quetta Gladiators Defeat Lahore Qalandars
Despite the administrative chaos preceding the first ball, Quetta delivered a structured performance on the field. Bowling first on a sluggish Karachi pitch, the Gladiators dismissed the Qalandars for 134. Usman Tariq anchored the bowling attack, recording precise figures of 3/18.
In the second innings, Quetta chased the 135-run target with 22 deliveries remaining to secure a six-wicket victory. Rilee Rossouw led the successful chase with an unbeaten 60, supported by a valuable partnership with Hasan Nawaz that stabilized the innings after early dismissals.
| Team | Score | Top Performer |
|---|---|---|
| Lahore Qalandars | 134 (All Out) | – |
| Quetta Gladiators | 135/4 (16.2 Overs) | Rilee Rossouw (60*) |
- Standout Bowler: Usman Tariq dismantled the upper order with figures of 3/18.
- Match Result: Quetta Gladiators won by 6 wickets.
- Tournament Impact: The victory improves Quetta’s playoff probability while Lahore suffers a third consecutive defeat.