Quetta Gladiators thrash Islamabad United to strengthen their hold on the top position
RAWALPINDI: Rilee Rossouw and Hasan Nawaz powered Quetta Gladiators to a commanding 130-run triumph over defending champions Islamabad United, thanks to their explosive centuries and a collective bowling effort, in the 26th match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
Tasked with chasing a mammoth 264-run target, Islamabad United crumbled to 154 all out in 19.3 overs, suffering their fourth straight defeat after winning their opening five fixtures.
The hosts endured a nightmare start as veteran pacer Mohammad Amir struck twice in the first over, removing both openers—Kyle Mayers for a duck and Sahibzada Farhan for one.
In the wake of the early collapse, Mohammad Shahzad attempted to rebuild with brief stands alongside acting captain Salman Ali Agha (six) and Mohammad Nawaz before falling to Mohammad Wasim Jr in the fourth over. Shahzad offered brief resistance, scoring 24 off 13 balls, including three fours and a six.
Nawaz followed soon after, dismissed by Khurram Shahzad for a quick 10 off four deliveries. Islamabad’s woes deepened as they lost wickets in clusters, slumping to 68 for eight inside nine overs.
All-rounder Imad Wasim, batting at number nine, stitched a cautious 55-run partnership with Ben Dwarshuis, who contributed 31 off 24 balls with one boundary and two sixes. Imad top-scored with a fighting 56 off 41 deliveries, laced with five fours and two sixes, before falling to Wasim Jr in the final over.
Mohammad Amir starred with the ball for Quetta, claiming two wickets for just six runs in his two overs. He received solid support from Wasim Jr and Abrar Ahmed, who picked up two wickets each, while Faheem Ashraf, Khurram Shahzad, and captain Saud Shakeel chipped in with one apiece.
Earlier, Islamabad’s decision to bowl first backfired as Quetta Gladiators piled up a formidable 263 for three, thanks to a record 134-run partnership between Rossouw and Nawaz.
Quetta’s innings had a shaky start, losing Finn Allen (five) to a run-out after an opening stand of 24 runs with Saud Shakeel. Shakeel added a quick 36 with Rossouw before departing for 23 off 18 balls, featuring three boundaries, dismissed by Naseem Shah in the final over of the powerplay.
Rossouw then joined Hasan Nawaz in a match-defining partnership, adding 134 runs for the second wicket. Rossouw led the charge with an explosive 104 off 46 deliveries, decorated with 20 boundaries, including six sixes, before falling to Imad Wasim in the 16th over.
Hasan Nawaz remained unbeaten till the end, anchoring the innings with a superb 100 off 45 balls, featuring nine fours and four sixes. He also shared an unbroken 69-run stand with Mark Chapman, who scored an unbeaten 13 off eight balls, to propel Quetta past the 260-run mark.
For Islamabad, Imad Wasim and Naseem Shah managed to pick up a wicket apiece.
