In a pulsating encounter at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday night, Hasan Nawaz’s unbeaten 64 guided Quetta Gladiators to a dramatic two-wicket win over Islamabad United in Match 23 of PSL X, keeping their campaign alive in the tournament’s closing stretch.
Chasing 158, Quetta made a rapid start with 28 runs inside three overs, but the momentum was short-lived as skipper Saud Shakeel and Finn Allen fell in quick succession. A stabilizing 52-run stand between Rilee Rossouw (27) and Hasan Nawaz rebuilt the innings before another stutter saw Quetta slump from 80-2 to 117-7 by the 16th over, triggered by Mohammad Nawaz’s key breakthrough and tight bowling from United’s attack.
Despite the pressure, Hasan held firm. Supported briefly by Mohammad Wasim Jnr (16), the young right-hander kept his composure and nerves in check. Needing 15 off the last over with two wickets in hand, Hasan capitalized on Islamabad’s fielding lapses — three dropped chances — and punished Muhammad Shahzad with two massive sixes, sealing victory with a ball to spare. He finished unbeaten on 64 off 41 balls, with four sixes and two boundaries.
Earlier, United’s innings had promised much after a blistering start. Openers Sahibzada Farhan (39 off 24) and Kyle Mayers (22 off 17) put on 50 in just under five overs before Abrar Ahmed and Faheem Ashraf turned the tide. Faheem’s fiery spell (4-25) included two double-wicket overs that derailed United’s innings, removing key batters including Munro, Salman Ali Agha, and Shahzad.
Mohammad Nawaz’s late fireworks — a 34-ball 49 featuring five sixes — lifted United to 157-9, but it ultimately proved just short in a game that swung wildly throughout.
With this nail-biting win, Quetta Gladiators picked up crucial points, while United were left to rue missed chances both with bat and in the field.
Scores in brief:
Match 23 – Quetta Gladiators beat Islamabad United by 2 wickets at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Islamabad United: 157-9 in 20 overs (Mohammad Nawaz 49, Sahibzada Farhan 39; Faheem Ashraf 4-25)
Quetta Gladiators: 159-8 in 19.5 overs (Hasan Nawaz 64*, Rilee Rossouw 27; Salman Irshad 2-21, Naseem Shah 2-31)
Player of the Match – Hasan Nawaz (Quetta Gladiators)
Next Fixture: Sunday – Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings at Gaddafi Stadium, 8:00 PM PKT
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