Rilee Rossouw's solid half-century, combined with a strong bowling performance, led the Quetta Gladiators to a convincing 61-run win over RawalPindiz in the 18th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at the National Bank Stadium on Friday. Facing a challenging target of 184 runs, the Pindiz batting lineup struggled, managing to score only 121 runs before being bowled out in 17.3 overs. Emerging all-rounder Saad Masood fought valiantly for the Pindiz, finishing as their top scorer with a quick 31 runs off 19 balls. He was followed by seasoned middle-order batsman Daryl Mitchell, who contributed a cautious 30 runs from 32 balls. Aside from them, only Yasir Khan and Abdullah Fazal managed to reach double figures, scoring 22 and 20 runs, respectively. The Gladiators' bowling attack was spearheaded by Usman Tariq, Jahandad Khan, and captain Saud Shakeel, each taking two wickets, while Kashif Bhatti and Abrar Ahmed added one wicket each to the tally. Batting first, the Gladiators, who were the runners-up in the previous edition, posted a total of 182/6 in their 20 overs, setting a challenging target for the newcomers to secure their first win in this eight-team tournament. However, the Gladiators had a rocky start, losing debutant opener Sam Harper for just eight runs on the very first ball of the fourth over, with only 22 runs on the board. After this early hiccup, Rossouw teamed up with captain Saud Shakeel, and together they steadied the innings with a solid 87-run partnership for the second wicket. Also Read| "play the ball and not the bowler" 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi dominates top bowlers Mubasir Khan, who stepped in as a partial replacement for pacer Naseem Shah, broke this vital partnership in the 15th over by dismissing Rossouw, who was the Gladiators' top scorer with a well-played 53 runs off 42 balls, featuring six fours and a six. Saud followed shortly after, falling to Ben Sears in the next over, having made a significant contribution of 42 runs off 39 balls, including three fours. Mohammad Amir struck again, dealing a double blow to the Gladiators' batting lineup by sending Khawaja Nafay and Bevon Jacobs back to the pavilion in consecutive overs, leaving the team at 156/6 after 16.2 overs. However, middle-order batsman Hasan Nawaz stepped up, adding crucial runs to the Gladiators' score with a fiery 39 off just 16 balls, which included five sixes, before he was eventually caught out by Ben Sears in the last over. Nawaz received solid support from Jahandad Khan, who chipped in with an impressive unbeaten 21 off only six balls, featuring two sixes and two fours. Sears stood out among the bowlers for Pindiz, claiming three wickets for 41 runs in his four overs, while the seasoned Amir took two wickets, and Mubasir managed to snag one.