On a gripping Thursday evening in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), the Quetta Gladiators exhibited remarkable composure, clinching their third consecutive triumph, this time against Islamabad United. The pivotal clash unfolded with Quetta winning the toss and electing to field, a decision that proved instrumental in shaping the course of the game.
Although Islamabad initially surged ahead with a blistering start, their momentum was abruptly curtailed as wickets began to tumble at regular intervals. Agha Salman’s resilient knock of 33 runs off 23 balls and Alex Hales’ explosive contribution of 21 runs off just 9 balls were the mainstay of Islamabad’s innings, guiding them to a total of 138 for the loss of 9 wickets within the stipulated 20 overs. The standout performers for Quetta with the ball were Abrar Ahmad, who showcased his bowling prowess by claiming 3 wickets for a mere 18 runs, and Muhammad Wasim, who also made a significant impact with figures of 3-18.
Quetta, in their pursuit of the target, encountered a relatively quiet start, finding themselves at 51-3 in 6.1 overs. However, the tide turned as Rilee Russow (34) and Sherfane Rutherford (29) joined forces, steadily chipping away at the required runs. The duo’s resilient partnership of 50 runs in 42 balls for the 5th wicket ultimately propelled Quetta to victory in 18.2 overs, albeit with the loss of 7 wickets. Shadab Khan emerged as Islamabad’s standout bowler, finishing the night with figures of 2-24 in his four overs.
With this triumph, Quetta Gladiators cemented their unbeaten record, securing a spot at the second position in the PSL table. Meanwhile, Islamabad United finds itself grappling with a solitary victory in the tournament so far, emphasizing the competitive and unpredictable nature of T20 cricket. As the tournament unfolds, the Quetta Gladiators’ consistent performance positions them as strong contenders for the PSL title.
