Gladiators Hold Nerve as Islamabad’s Errors Seal Playoff Spot for Quetta

LAHORE: Hasan Nawaz’s unbeaten half-century guided Quetta Gladiators to a thrilling two-wicket win over Islamabad United in the 23rd match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.

Chasing 158 for victory, the Gladiators crossed the finish line on the second-last ball of the innings, with Hasan sealing it in style by launching Muhammad Shahzad for a six.

Quetta began their chase briskly, with skipper Saud Shakeel and Finn Allen adding 28 runs inside the first three overs. However, both departed in quick succession—Allen, the main aggressor, scored 20, while Saud managed 7 off 8 deliveries.

After the early setbacks, Rilee Rossouw and Hasan Nawaz steadied the innings, sharing a 52-run stand. Just as they looked settled, a mix-up between the wickets brought an end to Rossouw’s fighting knock of 27 off 24 balls, including four boundaries.

Rossouw’s dismissal triggered a collapse, with Quetta tumbling to 117/7 by the 16th over, losing four wickets in quick time.

Hasan then found an able partner in Mohammad Wasim Jr, and together they stitched a crucial 26-run partnership. Wasim’s dismissal off the last ball of the penultimate over left Quetta needing 15 from the final over.

Hasan, who had already survived two chances at the start of the over, hammered a six off Shahzad, keeping the Gladiators in the hunt. Although he missed out on the fourth ball, another dropped catch allowed him to steal two runs.

Capitalizing fully on the lifelines, Hasan smashed a six over deep backward square on the penultimate ball to clinch a stunning victory for Quetta.

Hasan Nawaz top-scored with an unbeaten 64 off 41 deliveries, hitting two fours and four sixes.

For Islamabad, Naseem Shah and Salman Irshad took two wickets each, while Mohammad Nawaz, Jason Holder, and Salman Ali Agha chipped in with one apiece.

Earlier, Islamabad United posted 157/9 after being put in to bat. Their new opening pair, Sahibzada Farhan and Kyle Mayers, gave them a solid start with a rapid 58-run partnership.

Abrar Ahmed broke the stand in the sixth over, dismissing Mayers for 22 off 17 balls (3 fours, 1 six).

Faheem Ashraf then struck twice in his first over, removing Colin Munro (9) and stand-in skipper Salman Ali Agha (0), putting United on the back foot.

Set batter Sahibzada Farhan was next to fall, dismissed by Quetta skipper Saud Shakeel after a fine 39 off 24 balls, featuring 2 fours and 4 sixes.

From 77/4 in 9.5 overs, United’s innings lost further momentum as Faheem returned to remove wicketkeeper Andries Gous and Muhammad Shahzad in quick succession, leaving them at 91/6 in 13 overs.

Haider Ali and Mohammad Nawaz steadied things briefly with a 39-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Nawaz was the aggressor, while Haider contributed 10 off 8 balls before Khurram Shahzad removed him in the 18th over.

Nawaz top-scored for United with 49 off 34 balls (1 four, 5 sixes) before falling to Kyle Jamieson in the final over. Jason Holder added useful runs in a 26-run stand for the eighth wicket.

Faheem Ashraf was the standout bowler for Quetta, claiming 4/25 in his 3 overs. He was well supported by Khurram Shahzad, Abrar Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, and Kyle Jamieson, who picked up a wicket each.