Watch: In a Pakistan Super League match in Karachi, Naseem Shah of the Quetta Gladiators clean bowled James Vince of the Karachi Kings with a fast nipbacker.

The PSL 2023 match began in spectacular fashion at the National Stadium, with Imad Wasim (4-1-16-3) quickly reducing the Gladiators to 13-3 with his first nine balls. Even after 6.1 overs, the Gladiators were left reeling at 23-4.

Then Martin Guptill launched a furious onslaught, racing to an unbeaten 67-ball 117 not out, with 12 fours and five sixes, to take the Gladiators to 168-7. Barring Iftikhar Ahmed (32 in 27), none of Guptill’s teammates went past five.

Just like their Gladiators counterparts, the Karachi Nos. 1 and 3 failed to score as well, but Vince and Shoaib Malik took them to 35-2 in the fifth over.

Then Naseem bowled a fast ball on a good length on the off-stump. Vince brought his bat down along the line, but the ball jagged back through his defence to hit the stumps, sending him back for a 14-ball 22.

Not that it mattered. The Kings lost Matthew Wade and Imad as well, and it was anyone’s game at 76-5 in 11 overs. but Malik (71 not out in 49 balls) and Irfan Khan (37 not out in 26) kept them in the hunt.

The Kings needed 24 off the last over. Malik hit two fours and Irfan smashed a six off Odean Smith, but the duo couldn’t take their side over the line, falling short by six runs.

Naseem finished with 4-0-29-1. Guptill was named Player of the Match.

Watch Naseem Shah clean bowl James Vince here: