PSL 10: Quetta Gladiators crush Islamabad United by 109 runs

Rawalpindi (Web Desk): In the 26th match of the 10th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Quetta Gladiators delivered a dominant performance, defeating Islamabad United by a massive margin of 109 runs.

The match, held at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, saw Quetta post a formidable total of 236 runs for the loss of just three wickets, thanks to brilliant centuries from Rilee Rossouw and Hassan Nawaz.

After winning the toss, Islamabad United opted to bowl first. Quetta’s openers Saud Shakeel (23) and Finn Allen (5) were dismissed early. However, Rossouw and Hassan Nawaz built a powerful 134-run partnership. Rossouw smashed 104 off just 46 balls, hitting 6 sixes and 14 fours, while Hassan Nawaz remained unbeaten on 100 runs off 45 deliveries, including 9 sixes and 4 fours, completing his century on the final ball of the innings.

Chasing 237, Islamabad United struggled against Quetta's disciplined bowling attack. Only four batsmen managed to reach double figures, and the team was bowled out for 154 with three balls to spare.

Islamabad United's regular captain Shadab Khan was once again unavailable due to fitness issues. Salman Ali Agha led the team in his absence. Islamabad made two changes to their squad  Salman Irshad was dropped, and Colin Munro was unavailable due to illness.

On the other hand, Quetta skipper Saud Shakeel stated that he too would have chosen to bowl first had he won the toss, as chasing a target provides clarity and the pitch seemed more favorable for bowling.

Teams

Islamabad United:

 Shadab Khan and Naseem Shah , Azam Khan, Imad Wasim and Jason Holder, Haider Ali, Salman Ali Agha and Ben Dwarshuis , Colin Munro, Rumman Raees, Andries Gous, Mohammad Nawaz and Salman Irshad , Hunain Shah and Saad Masood , Kyle Mayers, Mohammad Faiq, Sahibzada Farhan, Muhammad Shahzad and Riley Meredith .

 

 
Quetta Gladiators:

Finn Allen, Faheem Ashraf and Mark Chapman , Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Amir and Rilee Rossouw , Akeal Hossein, Mohammad Wasim Jr and Saud Shakeel , Khawaja Nafay, Usman Tariq, Haseebullah Khan and Khurram Shahzad , Kyle Jamieson and Hasan Nawaz , Mohammad Zeeshan, Danish Aziz, Kusal Mendis and Sean Abbott .