Quetta Gladiators captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has rated Jason Roy’s century as one of the best knocks in the Pakistan Super League after the Englishman scored 116 runs off just 57 balls against Lahore Qalandars in the 15th match of the tournament at the National Stadium, Karachi on Monday to help his team win by seven wickets.
The right-hander who was playing his first match of the season, smashed 11 fours and eight sixes in his blistering knock as he scored his runs at a strike rate of more than 203.51.
Lahore Qalandars had posted a par score of 204 runs after Sarfaraz Ahmed won the toss and decided to bowl first. Fakhar Zaman scored a fine knock of 70 runs off 45 balls to continue his rich form. However, Jason Roy was able to hit the ground running and played one of the best knocks of the season.
Roy took on the attack against the Lahore Qalandars bowlers and he was able to execute his skills to perfection against a potent attack.
Sarfaraz Ahmed said in the post-match presentation, “The more you praise this innings, the lesser it would be. One of the best knocks in the PSL. We planned to start off well in the first six and then maintain the rate. Then Vince played well and Nawaz finished superbly as well. The second leg would be very important as it moves to Lahore”.
On the other hand, Shaheen Shah Afridi had an off day at the office as he conceded 40 runs in his quota of four overs and went wicketless. Afridi also gave credit to Jason Roy for playing a fine knock.
He said after the game, “Credit to Quetta for the way they finished. We scored enough but he (Roy) started off quickly. Games like these will happen in a big tournament like this. We need to improve our fielding”.
It was a fantastic knock by Jason Roy and Quetta Gladiators will hope that the right-hander continues his form in Lahore. Roy has the skills to take the game away from the opposition and he did exactly that in his maiden match of the season. Quetta Gladiators will next face Islamabad United on Wednesday.
