In the 21st match of the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL-8) on Sunday, Quetta Gladiators set a target of 180 for the Islamabad United team.
At one stage, it seemed as if Islamabad would be chasing a significantly low target but Quetta made an impressive comeback due to Umar Akmal’s fierce batting in the second half of the innings.
Fazalhaq Farooqi struck in the first over after he trapped Will Smeed, who bagged a golden duck, in front of the stumps.
The Afghanistan pacer clinched his second wicket in the third over of the innings after Yasir Khan, five runs in 11 balls, spooned one straight to Shadab Khan at extra cover.
Quetta captain Sarfaraz Ahmed's decision to bat at number three also backfired as he was caught brilliantly by Mubasir Khan on the fence while trying to play a pull shot. He scored three runs and fell to Faheem Ashraf. Soon after, Iftikhar Ahmed (2) also made his way back to the pavilion after presenting a simple catch to Shadab at mid-on as Faheem bagged his second wicket of the match.
With Quetta reeling at 17-4, Mohammad Nawaz and Najibullah Zadran rescued their side with a superb hundred partnership while also notching up fifties. However, Fazalhaq broke the stand in the 17th over as Nawaz was caught in the deep after scoring 52 runs in 44 balls.
Meanwhile, Zadran was cleaned up by Rumman Raees after scoring 59 runs in 34 balls with the help of five fours and three sixes.
Umar Akmal, who was making a comeback in the side, played a blinder to provide impetus in the death over. The right-hander scored unbeaten 43 runs in only 14 balls.
Earlier, Islamabad United won the toss and opted to field first against Quetta Gladiators in the 21st match of the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) being played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, Islamabad United have played six matches so far, and they remained victorious in four of them. Tonight’s match will be their seventh.
On the other hand, Quetta Gladiators have also played six matches so far, and they remained victorious in only one of them. They too are playing their seventh match tonight.
It is to be noted here that Islamabad United ranks third on the points table with three points while Quetta Gladiators rank sixth with two points only.
Islamabad United squad
Shadab Khan (c), Asif Ali, Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Alex Hales, Hasan Ali, Mubashir Khan, Colin Munro, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rumman Raees.
Quetta Gladiators squad
Sarfaraz Ahmed (c), Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Naveen-ul-Haq, Will Smeed, Umaid Asif, Umar Akmal, Yasir Khan, Najibullah Zadran, and Odean Smith.