PSL 2020: Quetta Gladiators defeat Islamabad United by 5 wickets

On Feb 28, 2020 Last updated Oct 4, 2021

RAWALPINDI: The Quetta Gladiators defeated Islamabad United by five wickets on Thursday in an action-packed match.

Powered by a fabulous half-century by Jason Roy, the Gladiators chased down Islamabad’s imposing 188-run target with a few balls to spare as Ben Cutting finished the match in style, hitting a six when the team needed just 4 runs to win.

The Gladiators looked in trouble at one point in time when Shane Watson fell cheaply for 9 runs from 8 balls, hitting only two boundaries. Ahmed Shahzad continued his poor form of the tournament, getting dismissed by a Shadab Khan delivery when he was only on 12 runs.

Azam Khan, on whom the Gladiators have depended so far, failed to live up to expectations as he got out on 10 runs from 11 balls. In walked skipper Sarfaraz and changed the dynamics of the game, scoring 33 runs from 20 balls to lead a Quetta resurgence.

Nawaz gave him much-needed support from the other end, scoring 25 off 20 balls. Cutting and Nawaz saw the Gladiators through to another victory, with the former finishing the match in style with a huge six.

Earlier, Jason Roy gave an excellent start to the Gladiators, scoring 50 runs from 38 balls. He hit two sixes and six 4s Ahmed Safi Abdullah dismissed him.

Munro steered United to their 187-run total at the end of the innings by scoring an unbeaten 63 runs from 40 balls. He hit two sixes and six 4s during his innings.

Shadab Khan once again pitched in with the bat, making an impressive 39 runs from 25 balls, hitting two sixes and three 4s before he was caught by Nawaz off a Cutting delivery.

Tymal Mills brought Gladiators back into the game with two quick wickets, dismissing Amad Butt and Asif Ali cheaply.

Right-arm pacer Naseem Shah picked up two early wickets and Mohammad Hasnain chipped in with one to put Islamabad United on the back foot on Thursday, as United lost three early wickets a little after five years were bowled in the game.

Luke Ronchi looked dangerous before he was clean bowled by a blistering delivery from teenage sensation Naseem Shah. The Islamabad United opening batsman made 11 runs from four balls before he was sent to the pavilion.