Quetta Gladiators won their contest against Karachi Kings in Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020 by five wickets at National Stadium, Karachi on Sunday.

The defending PSL champions chased the paltry target of 157 runs in 19 overs, with five wickets remaining.

Azam Khan stood out with his impressive 46-run knock, during which he struck four boundaries and two sixes. Imad Wasim and Chris Jordan both picked one wicket apiece.

Gladiators' running skills came under the spotlight as three of their batsmen, including Shane Watson (27), Azam and Jason Roy (17), were run-out.

Watson's wicket was an early setback for the defending champions. They seemed to be headed towards a meltdown when they lost Roy and Ahmed Shehzad (11) in quick succession.

The team stabilised after Gladiators skipper Sarfaraz joined Azam on the crease.

Karachi Kings' innings

The Kings wrapped up their innings at 156 at the loss of nine wickets. Defending champions Gladiators maintained an upper hand by restricting runs and picking up quick wickets.

Mohammad Hasnain took three wickets for 33 in his four overs. With 29 runs of 27 balls, Alex Hales was Kings' highest scorer.

Babar Azam helped the team put early runs on the scoreboard before being bowled out at 26. Sharjeel Khan was also sent back to the stands for just six runs.

CS Delport (22) fell to Sohail Khan in the 10th over, while Hales was ousted by Hasnain in the 14th over.

Karachi Kings skipper Imad Wasim (8) was run out by Gladiators' captain Sarfaraz Ahmed in the 17th over.

Hasnain had earlier gotten rid of Chadwick Walton, who only scored one run.

Earlier, the Karachi Kings won the toss and opted to bat first.

The Kings won their first match of the fifth edition of PSL after defeating Peshawar Zalmi by 10 runs on Friday.

The Gladiators secured their first win in the opening match of PSL 2020 against Islamabad United. On Saturday, however, they were defeated by Zalmi by six wickets.

Squads:

Karachi Kings: Imad Wasim (c), Aamer Yamin, Ali Khan, Arshad Iqbal, Awais Zia, Babar Azam, Cameron Delport, Alex Hales, Iftikhar Ahmed, Chris Jordan, Mitchell McClenaghan, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Sharjeel Khan, Umaid Asif, Umer Khan, Usama Mir, Chadwick Walton

Quetta Gladiators: Sarfaraz Ahmed (c), Shane Watson, Abdul Nasir, Ahmed Shehzad, Ahsan Ali, Arish Ali Khan, Azam Khan, Ben Cutting, Fawad Ahmed, Khurram Manzoor, Tymal Mills, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Keemo Paul, Jason Roy, Sohail Khan, Umar Akmal