PSL8: Islamabad United outclass Quetta Gladiators by 63 runs

KARACHI – Islamabad United outclassed Quetta Gladiators by 63 runs in the 13th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 8 on Friday.

Chasing the 221-run target to win, the entire Quetta Gladiators team got out for 157 runs in 19.1 overs.

Azam Khan and Asif Ali helped Islamabad United to build a giant total of 220 runs for Quetta Gladiators at the loss of six wickets in 20 overs.

Azam played a splendid innings of 97 runs off 42 balls while Asif made 42 off 24 regaining control after their side faced early losses. Shadab Khan could score only 12 runs while Rahmanullah Gurbaz was removed for eight.

Colin Munro attempted to build a strong opening total but he was sent to packing by Aimal Khan for 38 runs. Gladiators’ Mohammad Hasnain and Odean Smith took two wickets each. 

Earlier, Islamabad United won the toss and decided to bat first against Gladiators.  

Gladiators’ main area of concern was their batting, which completely failed to click in all matches they have played this season so far.

Martin Guptill’s 117 in their six-run victory against Karachi Kings has been their best individual performance as the New Zealander single-handedly guided his side to 168-7. 

And the pace-duo of Mohammad Hasnain and Naseem Shah did well in the death overs to gift the only win to the Gladiators as Karachi Kings were restricted to 162-5.

On the other side, Islamabad United have won three of the four games they have played so far. They defeated Peshawar Zalmi in their third show on Thursday.

After they beat Karachi Kings by four wickets in their opener on February 16 here, United were whipped by Multan Sultans by 52 runs in Multan.

Squads

Quetta Gladiators: Martin Guptill, Jason Roy, Umar Akmal, Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfaraz Ahmed (captain), Iftikhar Ahmed, Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Qais Ahmad, Odean Smith, Omair bin Yousuf, Will Smeed, Saud Shakeel, Nuwan Thushara.

Islamabad United: Shadab Khan (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Asif Ali, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Mohammad Wasim Junior, Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Abrar Ahmed, Colin Munro, Paul Stirling, Rumman Raees, Sohaib Maqsood, Hassan Nawaz, Zeeshan Zamir, Mubasir Khan, Moeen Ali (yet to join), Alex Hales (yet to join).