PSL 8: United outfox Gladiators as Munro springs his surprise
Cricket
United seal playoff spot
RAWALPINDI (Web Desk) – Colin Munro’s quickfire 29-ball 63 and Faheem Ashraf's unbeaten 31-ball 39 stormed Islamabad United to a thrilling two-wicket victory against Quetta Gladiators in the 21st match of the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at Pindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
ISLAMABAD UNITED'S INNINGS
Chasing a target of 180, the United completed the equation with three balls to spare. After Naseem Shah flummoxed Rahmanullah Gurbaz for duck, Alex Hales (12 off 9) and Colin Munro stitched a partnership of 51. With this victory, the United sealed the playoff spot.
Alex Hales was undone by Naveen. It was Colin Munro who played a vital role in the United’s chase. Munro smacked five boundaries and four sixes.
Munro was ably supported by Faheem Ashraf, who scored unbeaten 31-ball 39, studding with four boundaries. Azam Khan was once again looked belligerent for his 25-ball 35, clobbering two fours and two sixes.
While, the rest of the batters including Shadab Khan (8), Mubasir Khan (5) and Asif Ali (6) failed to show any significant resistance. Hasan Ali remained unbeaten on 2-ball 1.
Umaid Asif led his side with the bowl, bagging three wickets and conceded 37. Mohammad Nawaz was exceptional by picking up two wickets and conceded merely 17.
Naseem Shah (1-28) Naveen (1-37) and Iftikhar Ahmed (1-19) took a scalp each.
— Islamabad United (@IsbUnited) March 5, 2023
QUETTA GLADIATORS' INNINGS
Umar Akmal’s blistering unconquered 14-ball 43 and Najibullah Zadran’s 34-ball 59 powered Quetta Gladiators to 179-6 in the marquee tournament.
At one stage, the United bowlers applied a coup de grace against the Gladiators’ batters. The Gladiators were four down for just 17. But it was Najibullah Zadran and Mohammad Nawaz, who stitched a formidable partnership of 104 off 64.
Fazalhaq Farooqi, was the standout bowler for the United who bagged the wicket of Mohammad Nawaz. Nawaz scored 44-ball 52, studding with six boundaries.
Najibullah was cleaned up by Rumman Raees. Najibullah Zadran whacked five boundaries and three towering sixes.
Later on, it was the fireworks from Umar Akmal’s willow that paved way for the Gladiators posting a decent total. Umar Akmal remained not out, scoring 14-ball 43, clobbering five boundaries and three maximums.
With the exception of Nawaz, Zadran and Akmal, none of the Gladiators’ batters could reach double figures.
Yasir Khan (5), Will Smeed (0), Sarfaraz Ahmed (3), Iftikhar Ahmed (2) and Odean Smith (4) failed to show any significant resistance.
For the United, Fazalhaq Farooqi (3-25) spearheaded his time, scooping up three wickets. Faheem Ashraf (2-29) picked up two wickets.
Rumman Raees bowled a decent spell, conceding just 29 in his four overs and bagged a wicket.
Mubasir Khan (0-23), Hasan Ali (0-36) and Shadab Khan (0-32) remained wicketless.
— Quetta Gladiators (@TeamQuetta) March 5, 2023
TOSS
Islamabad United elected to field first against Quetta Gladiators in the 21st match of the domestic premium tournament.
Before the match, the United were spotted at the third spot with fours and locked horns with a bottom dwellers Gladiators.
SQUADS
Islamabad United
R Gurbaz, Alex Hales, Colin Munro, Shadab Khan (c), Azam Khan (wk) Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Mubasir Khan, Hassan Ali, Rumman Raees, Fazalhaq Farooqi
— Islamabad United (@IsbUnited) March 5, 2023
Quetta Gladiators
Yasir Khan, Will Smeed, Iftikhar Ahmed, Najibullah Zadran, Sarfaraz Ahmed (c & wk), Umar Akmal, Mohammad Nawaz, Odean Smith, Umaid Asif, Naveen-ul-Haq, Naseem Shah
— Quetta Gladiators (@TeamQuetta) March 5, 2023
