Pakistan Super League Record Run Chase - Quetta Gladiators' mammoth chase against Peshawar Zalmi

Quetta Gladiators created history in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2023 clash against Peshawar Zalmi on Wednesday as they chased down a massive target of 241 runs at the Pindi Club Ground, Rawalpindi. 

English opener Jason Roy (145 not out) played the role of a sheet anchor as Quetta Gladiators chased down the target with 10 balls to spare.

In the chase, Roy looked in control from the onset and was well complimented by his opening partner Martin Guptill, who played a quick-fire knock of 21 runs from eight deliveries. His crucial contribution was laced with three boundaries and one hit over the fence. 

Incoming batter Will Smeed (26), later, played a perfect second fiddle to the Englishman who was the aggressor throughout the knock. Smeed played a run-a-ball rate while rotating strike and pushing the odd ones to the boundary in his stay of 21 deliveries. 

However, following his dismissal, Roy and Mohammad Hafeez (41 not out off 18) combined well together to take their side over the line. Hafeez smashed six boundaries and two sixes in his 18-ball knock while Roy's 63-ball innings was laced with 20 boundaries and five sixes. 

Earlier, opting to bat, Peshawar Zalmi openers Saim Ayub (74) and captain Babar Azam (115) forged an opening stand of 162 runs to give their side a strong start. 

Ayub came out all guns blazing at the bowlers as he batted with a strike rate of 217.65 while the Pakistan captain was run out after facing 65 deliveries. 

However, West Indies power-hitter Rovman Powell (35 not out off 18) continued to maintain the momentum for the side while Tom Kohler-Cadmore remained unbeaten on seven runs off three deliveries.

In a batting exhibition, where more than 480 runs were scored, including two centuries and a number of quick-fire knocks, a number of T20 records tumbled. Let us have a look at them:

241 - The record for the highest-ever target chased in PSL now belongs to Quetta Gladiators. The previous record was held by Multan Sultans when they chased down 207 vs Lahore Qalandars in 2002. It is also the fourth-highest successful chase in T20 history. 

145* - Jason Roy's remarkable fightback is etched in history as the highest individual score in the PSL. South Africa's Colin Ingram held the previous record for his unbeaten 127 for Karachi Kings against Quetta Gladiators in 2019. 

483 - The total runs scored by Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi records for the highest aggregate in a PSL match, surpassing 479 runs combined by Islamabad United and Gladiators in 2021. It is also the highest aggregate for a T20 match in Asia.

27 - Jason Roy needed 27 innings to complete 1000 runs in PSL, making him the fastest to achieve the feat. The record was previously held by Shan Masood who took 29 innings. 

44 - Jason Roy recorded the second fastest century in the PSL. The record for the fastest century in the league is held by South Africa's Rilee Rossow, who came in 43 deliveries for Multan Sultans against Gladiators in 2022. 

8 - Babar Azam records the joint second-most centuries by any batter in T20 cricket. He shares the feat with Aaron Finch, Michael Klinger and David Warner. Only West Indies legend Chris Gayle is ahead of them with 22 centuries. 

243 for 2 - Quetta Gladiators now hold the record for the third-highest team total in PSL. Islamabad United holds the record for the highest-total with their 247/2 which came in 2021 while Multan Sultans' 245/3 in 2022 is second on the list.