Faheem, Hasan help Quetta claim top PSL spot after thrilling win over Islamabad

Staff Report

LAHORE: Faheem Ashraf’s four-for and Hasan Nawaz’s unbeaten 64 handed Gladiators a thrilling two-wicket win over Islamabad United as they chased the 158-run target in 19.5 overs in the 23rd match of HBL PSL X here at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Saturday evening. In pursuit of the target, Quetta had jotted 28 runs in 2.5 overs before losing skipper Saud Shakeel on the final delivery of the third over and Finn Allen (20, 13b, 2x4s, 1×6) three balls later. Rilee Rossouw (27, 24b, 4x4s) and Hasan constructed a 52-run partnership to steady the innings before the former was run out after a mix-up with 80 runs on the board in 9.5 overs. Nawaz, who had earlier top-scored for United, initiated a batting collapse with the dismissal of Mark Chapman in the next over as Quetta slipped toto 117-7 in 16 overs. Mohammad Wasim Jnr (16, 11b) chipped in with two boundaries and crucially provided support to Hasan in an 18-ball 26-run stand before falling to Naseem on the final delivery of the penultimate over. Player of the match Hasan, aided by three dropped catches in the final over, thumped Muhammad Shahzad for two sixes to lead his side to a two-wicket victory in 19.5 overs as he finished with an unbeaten 64 off 41 deliveries including two fours and four sixes.

After being put in to bat first, United got off to a flying start as they raced to 50-0 in 4.5 overs courtesy their opening batters Kyle Mayers (22, 17b, 3x4s, 1×6) and Sahibzada Farhan. Abrar Ahmed got rid of the former in the sixth over before Faheem Ashraf dealt a double-blow in the ninth over as he removed Colin Munro (9) and the stand-in captain Salman Ali Agha for a duck in space of three deliveries. Saud Shakeel removed the in-form Farhan (39, 24b, 2x4s, 4x6s) in the very next over to leave Quetta reeling on 77-4 at halfway mark of the innings. Islamabad sank further as Faheem picked up another brace in the 13th over of the innings, removing Andries Gous (8) and Mohammad Shahzad. Haider Ali (10, 8b, 1×6) and Jason Holder (14 not out, 11b, 2x4s) provided support to Nawaz who lifted Islamabad’s total to 157-9 in 20 overs with a 34-ball 49 comprising one boundary and five maximums. For Quetta, Faheem picked up 4-25 in three overs.

Brief scores:

Match 23: Quetta Gladiators beat Islamabad United by two wickets at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Islamabad United 157-9, 20 overs (Mohammad Nawaz 49, Sahibzada Farhan 39; Faheem Ashraf 4-25) vs Quetta Gladiators 159-8, 19.5 overs (Hasan Nawaz 64 not out, Rilee Rossouw 27; Salman Irshad 2-21, Naseem Shah 2-31)

Player of the match – Hasan Nawaz (Quetta Gladiators).