SHADAB KHAN, SAMEER MINHAS POWER ISLAMABAD UNITED TO COMMANDING WIN OVER QUETTA GLADIATORS
LAHORE: Islamabad United secured their first victory of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 with a convincing eight-wicket win over Quetta Gladiators at Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.
Chasing a challenging target of 184, United comfortably reached the total in the 19th over with just two wickets lost, thanks to a composed innings from rising talent Sameer Minhas and a captain’s knock by Shadab Khan.
The chase began on a positive note as Devon Conway and Sameer Minhas provided early momentum, putting together a steady opening partnership. However, Abrar Ahmed broke through by dismissing Conway for 18, and soon after removed Andries Gous cheaply, leaving United at 61-2.
From there, Minhas and Shadab took complete control of the innings. The pair built a crucial partnership, first stabilizing the chase and then accelerating when required. Both batters reached their half-centuries, with Minhas registering his maiden PSL fifty while Shadab brought up his ninth in the tournament.
Shadab’s aggressive strokeplay, including consecutive boundaries, shifted the pressure firmly onto Quetta as the duo stitched together a century stand. Their partnership ensured there were no further hiccups, guiding Islamabad to a comfortable finish.
Minhas remained unbeaten with a superb 83 off 48 balls, hitting eight fours and three sixes, while Shadab’s fluent 68 off 38 deliveries featured five fours and four sixes.
Earlier, Quetta Gladiators posted a competitive 183-5 after being put in to bat. Their innings was built on a strong start from openers Saud Shakeel and Shamyl Hussain, who attacked from the outset and added 50 runs for the first wicket.
Shamyl was dismissed for 21 by Salman Irshad, after which Khawaja Nafay joined Shakeel to keep the scoreboard ticking. However, Shadab Khan removed the Quetta captain for a quickfire 42, halting their progress.
Although Quetta maintained a good scoring rate, they kept losing wickets at key moments. Imad Wasim accounted for Nafay, while Shadab delivered a decisive spell by dismissing Ben McDermott and Bevon Jacobs in quick succession, reducing Gladiators to 93-5.
Hassan Nawaz and Tom Curran then rebuilt the innings with an important partnership. Nawaz, in particular, shifted gears in the later stages, taking on the bowlers and collecting quick runs, including a big over against Imad Wasim.
The pair added valuable runs in the death overs, with Nawaz bringing up his fifth PSL half-century. He remained unbeaten on 64 off 35 balls, striking six fours and three sixes, while Curran chipped in with 29 from 22 deliveries.
For Islamabad United, Shadab Khan led from the front with the ball as well, finishing with impressive figures of 3/23. Imad Wasim and Salman Irshad also picked up a wicket each to support the effort.
