Imad Wasim (3-12) and Martin Guptill’s 47-ball 56 helped Islamabad United boost their place in the Eliminator 2 by knocking Quetta Gladiators out of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in the Eliminator 1 in the ninth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in Karachi on Friday.
QUETTA GLADIATORS' INNINGS
Chasing a target of 175, the Gladiators were bowled for 135 in the 19th over, with Omair Yousuf scoring a 37-ball 50, hitting four boundaries and one six.
Akeal Hosein looked good for his 18-ball 31 before being run out by joint efforts from Agha Salman and Azam Khan. But it was the United who held their nerves and clinched a comfortable 39-run victory against the Gladiators in a do-or-die clash.
Mohammad Amir scored 14-ball 21, before being bowled out by McCoy.
Jason Roy (1), Saud Shakeel (0), Rilee Rossouw (5), Khawaja Nafay (5), Laurie Evans (0), Mohammad Wasim (6), and Abrar Ahmed (5) could not show any resistance with the bat.
Usman Tariq remained unebeaten on 1-ball 1.
For the United, Imad Wasim was outstanding with the bowl, picking up three wickets and merely conceding 12 runs in his four overs.
Naseem Shah (2-33) took two wickets.
Obed McCoy (1-13), Hunain Shah (1-15) and Faheem Ashraf (1-18) took a scalp each.
Shadab Khan (0-42) remained wicketless.
ISLAMABAD UNITED'S INNINGS
Guptill smashed 47-ball 56 to steer Islamabad United to 174-9 against the Gladiators.
After being put into bat, the United lost Alex Hales on 51 as he scored 20-ball 23.
Guptill and Agha Salman showed some resistance with the bat before the latter was removed by Saud Shakeel on 21-ball 31.
Shadab Khan looked good for his 13-ball 23 before removed by Abrar Ahmed.
Azam Khan smashed two sixes and one four in his 6-ball 18 before being bowled out by Akeal Hosein.
Faheem Ashraf (1), Haider Ali (1), Imad Wasim (4), and Hunain Shah (0) could not show resistance with the bat.
Naseem Shah (7) and Obed McCoy (0) remained unbeaten.
For the Gladiators, Mohammad Amir (2-20) bowled beautifully and took two wickets.
Akeal Hosein (2-34) also picked up two wickets.
Saud Shakeel (1-5), Abrar Ahmed (1-32) and Mohammad Wasim picked up a wicket apiece.
Usman Tariq (0-39) remained wicketless.
TEAMS
Quetta Gladiators: Jason Roy, Saud Shakeel, Khawaja Nafay, Rilee Rossouw (c), Omair Bin Yousuf, Laurie Evans (wk), Akeal Hosein, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Mohammad Amir, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq
Islamabad United: Alex Hales, Martin Guptill, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan (c), Azam Khan (wk), Haider Ali, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Hunain Shah, Obed McCoy
🚨 Playing XIs of the two teams 🚨
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 15, 2024
➡️ Two changes to Islamabad United while Quetta Gladiators are unchanged#HBLPSL9 | #KhulKeKhel | #IUvQG pic.twitter.com/pSZVkAoY0z
The United will lock horns against Peshawar Zalmi in Eliminator 2 today.
Ultimately, the victorious team from Eliminator 2 would vie for the championship title against Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League final scheduled for March 18. The anticipation continued to build as the thrilling tournament progressed towards its grand finale.
