Islamabad United handed a two-wickets defeat to Quetta Gladiators in the 21st match of the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing 180, United faced early blows, but Colin Munro and Azam Khan played impressive knocks to clinch the victory. Shadab led United are second on the table with 10 points after seven games.
Munro and Alex Hales gained momentum by adding 52 runs in four overs, the latter returned after being caught by Najibullah Zadran. Munro continued charge with captain Shadab Khan, but Iftikhar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz got them soon.
TOP KNOCK, YAAR!
We didn't even change the match summary photo from last night. This duo worked their magic and turned the tables to @IsbUnited's favour. #HBLPSL8 | #SabSitarayHumaray | #IUvQG pic.twitter.com/NWHBUr11Rs
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 5, 2023
Power hitters Asif Ali, and Mubasir Khan returned to hut early as Quetta made their way back into the game. Azam Khan and Faheem Ashraf stitched much needed partnership of 58 to help their side.
Quetta earlier faced blows as Fazalhaq Farooqi struck in the first over after he trapped Will Smeed on a golden duck. Yasir Khan and skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed were dismissed soon.
No Iftimani on Sunday as Iftikhar Ahmed returned on 2. Mohammad Nawaz and Najibullah Zadran slammed ton.
Earlier, United won the toss and opted to bowl against Gladiators who needed a much-required comeback as they are at the bottom of the points table with only a single victory so far.
TOP KNOCK, YAAR!
We didn't even change the match summary photo from last night. This duo worked their magic and turned the tables to @IsbUnited's favour. #HBLPSL8 | #SabSitarayHumaray | #IUvQG pic.twitter.com/NWHBUr11Rs
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 5, 2023
Shehzaday! Captain @iFaheemAshraf smooth-sailing his team towards victory 🔥#HBLPSL8 | #SabSitarayHumaray | #IUvQG pic.twitter.com/QfFzej2DiT
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 5, 2023
Martin Guptill Iftikhar Ahmed, Sarfaraz, and Will Smeed performed well but could not clinch any recent game. In the bowling side, Mohammad Hasnain remained the top wicket-taker for Purple force with 8 wickets in 5 games.
On the other hand, Shadab Khan led Islamabad United performed well in PSL8, and are at the 3rd spot on the points table with 4 wins in 6 games. Powerhouse Azam Khan remained top scorer with 242 runs under his belt. Munro, Rassie van der Dussen, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz also remained in form in country’s flagship tournament.
Hasan Ali, Tom Curran, Shadab Khan, and Rumman Raaes also displayed A-game in ongoing Twenty20 league.
Squads
Islamabad United: Colin Munro, Alex Hales, Rassie van der Dussen, Shadab Khan (c), Azam Khan (wk), Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Tom Curran, Hasan Ali, Mubasir Khan, Rumman Raees
Quetta Gladiators: Yasir Khan, Martin Guptill, Will Smeed, Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfaraz Ahmed (c & wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Odean Smith, Umaid Asif, Naseem Shah, Naveen-ul-Haq
PSL8: England’s Jason Roy to rejoin Quetta Gladiators next week
