RAWALPINDI, Pakistan, CMC – West Indies pacer Odean Smith was a non-starter yesterday, when teammate Jason Roy hit the highest individual score ever in the Pakistan Super League to lead Quetta Gladiators to an eight-wicket win over Peshawar Zalmi in a record run chase.
Roy smashed 20 fours and five sixes in a career-best, undefeated 145 from 63 balls, and the Gladiators complete the highest chase in the PSL’s eight-year history, overhauling a target of 241 to win with 10 balls remaining at the Rawalpindi International Stadium.
The England international gave evidence that he is starting to rediscover his best form, which deserted him last year, and enabled the Gladiators to complete the fourth highest run chase of all time in an official T20 match.
His explosive innings followed a typically silky 115 that included 15 fours and three sixes from 65 balls for Pakistan international captain Babar Azam that was the rock upon which Zalmi built their total of 240 for two.
Azam anchored an opening stand of 162 with Saim Ayub and a second wicket stand of 62 with new West Indies T20I captain Rovman Powell.
Ayub hit six fours and five sixes in 74 from 34 balls, and Powell, Smith’s Jamaica compatriot, came to the crease in the 14th over and smashed three fours and two sixes in 35 not out off 18 balls.
