Islamabad United Beats Quetta Gladiators in the 21th match of the Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) 2023 edition at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Islamabad reached home in 19.3 overs while chasing a target of 180 runs, becoming the second team to qualify for the playoffs after Lahore Qalandars.
Islamabad lost a wicket in the first over of the run chase when Naseem Shah dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz (0).
Colin Munro and Alex Hales, on the other hand, took the attack to Quetta, scoring 52 runs in 25 balls.
After a sharp reflex catch by Najibullah Zadran on the bowling of Naveen-ul-Haq, Hales returned to the hut having scored 12 runs in nine balls.
After being joined by skipper Shadab Khan, Munro, who was the dominant partner in the partnership with Hales, continued to smack Quetta bowlers to all parts of the ground. However, the pair quickly returned to the pavilion, with Iftikhar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz taking the crucial wickets.
Munro scored 63 runs in 29 balls, using five fours and four sixes. Shadab, on the other hand, could only muster eight runs.
Mubasir Khan (5) and Asif Ali (6) also left quickly as Quetta re-entered the game.
However, Azam Khan (35 off 25 balls) and Faheem Ashraf (39* off 31 balls) put on a crucial 58-run partnership to keep Islamabad on track for victory.
.@MAzamKhan45 makes it look so easy! #HBLPSL8 | #SabSitarayHumaray | #IUvQG pic.twitter.com/J8qLkXiC4N
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 5, 2023
Despite Umaid Asif’s two wickets in the penultimate over, Islamabad held their nerve to cross the finish line in the final over.
Umaid finished with three wickets, while Nawaz took two.
Earlier, Islamabad United faced a 180-run target after opting to bowl first against Quetta Gladiators.
Islamabad appeared to be chasing a significantly low target at one point, but Quetta made an impressive comeback in the second half of the innings.
Fazalhaq Farooqi struck in the first over after trapping Will Smeed in front of the stumps for a golden duck.
Yasir Khan, who scored five runs in 11 balls, spooned one straight to Shadab Khan at extra cover in the third over of Afghanistan’s innings.
Sarfaraz Ahmed’s decision to bat at number three also backfired, as he was brilliantly caught on the fence by Mubasir Khan while trying to play a pull shot. He was defeated by Faheem Ashraf after scoring three runs.
CATCH OF THE MATCH ALREADY?! ????????
Mubasir Khan AMAZES everyone and helps send the QG Skipper packing. #HBLPSL8 | #SabSitarayHumaray | #IUvQG pic.twitter.com/MUEhTjqXK7
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 5, 2023
Faheem took his second wicket of the match shortly after Iftikhar Ahmed (2) returned to the pavilion after presenting a simple catch to Shadab at mid-on.
With Quetta trailing 17-4, Mohammad Nawaz and Najibullah Zadran rescued their team with a superb century partnership and two fifties.
However, in the 17th over, Fazalhaq broke the stand when Nawaz was caught in the deep after scoring 52 runs in 44 balls.
Meanwhile, Zadran was dismissed by Rumman Raees after scoring 59 runs in 34 balls, including five fours and three sixes.
Umar Akmal, who was making a comeback in the side, batted brilliantly in the death overs. In only 14 balls, the right-hander scored an unbeaten 43 runs.
Quetta Gladiators, who are at the bottom of the points table, are almost out of PSL 8 because they need to win all of their remaining games and hope that other results go their way if they are to make the playoffs.
Islamabad United Vs Quetta Gladiators Highlights
Teams:
Quetta Gladiators: Yasir Khan, Will Smeed, Iftikhar Ahmed, Najibullah Zadran, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk/c), Umar Akmal, Mohammad Nawaz, Odean Smith, Umaid Asif, Naseem Shah, Naveen-ul-Haq
Islamabad United: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Alex Hales, Colin Munro, Azam Khan (wk), Asif Ali, Shadab Khan (c), Faheem Ashraf, Mubasir Khan, Hasan Ali, Rumman Raees, Fazalhaq Farooqi
