PSL 2023: Islamabad United won against Quetta Gladiators by 2 wickets

• Islamabad United reached a target of 180 runs against Quetta.
• Colin Munro and Alex Hales took the attack to Quetta.
• Sarfaraz Ahmed’s decision to bat at number three backfired.

Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight, Islamabad United reached a target of 180 runs against Quetta Gladiators at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Sunday.

Islamabad lost a wicket in the first over when Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed by Naseem Shah, but Colin Munro and Alex Hales took the attack to Quetta by adding 52 runs in 25 balls.

Munro scored 63 runs in 29 balls with five fours and four sixes, while Hales scored 12 runs in nine balls. However, Iftikhar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz bagged the crucial wickets.

Quetta made an impressive comeback in the second half of the innings, with Fazalhaq Farooqi trapping Will Smeed in front of the stumps.

The Afghanistan pacer clinched his second wicket in the third over of the innings after Yasir Khan spooned one straight to Shadab Khan at extra cover. Sarfaraz Ahmed’s decision to bat at number three backfired as he was caught brilliantly by Mubasir Khan on the fence while trying to play a pull shot.

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TOP KNOCK, YAAR!

We didn’t even change the match summary photo from last night. This duo worked their magic and turned the tables to @IsbUnited‘s favour. #HBLPSL8 | #SabSitarayHumaray | #IUvQG pic.twitter.com/NWHBUr11Rs

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 5, 2023

Mohammad Nawaz and Najibullah Zadran rescued their side with a superb hundred partnership, but Fazalhaq broke the stand in the 17th over.

Zadran was cleaned up by Rumman Raees after scoring 59 runs in 34 balls with the help of five fours and three sixes. Umar Akmal played a blinder to provide impetus in the death overs, scoring unbeaten 43 runs in only 14 balls.

Quetta Gladiators are nearly eliminated from PSL 8 and need to win all their remaining games and hope other results go their way if they’re to get through to the playoffs.