Match 12, Karachi, March 02, 2021, 07:30 PM
Quetta Gladiators
156/7(20.0ov)
Islamabad United
157/4(17.0ov)
Islamabad United beat Quetta Gladiators by 6 wickets
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Faheem Ashraf
Commentry
Right then. A match which should have happened on Monday, ends on Tuesday, with Islamabad United jumping to second spot. Mathematically, Quetta Gladiators can still make it to the playoffs, provided other games go their way but as captain Sarfaraz Ahmed himself admitted, it is almost next to impossible. They lie at the bottom with no win in 4 games. They play again on Wednesday, 3rd March, 2021, at 7 pm local (1400 GMT), against Multan Sultans. Before that, in the afternoon, at 2 pm local (0900 GMT), Karachi Kings take on Peshawar Zalmi. Join us for the double header. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!
Victorious Islamabad United skipper, Shadab Khan, says that the plan was simple and not to complicate things. Feels that the pitch helped his seamers, especially Faheem Ashraf, with the ball not quite coming onto the bat. Is happy with the inclusion of Paul Stirling and feels that with such players, many times, you end up winning the games in the Powerplay itself. Agrees that there was a thought of trying to finish the game early and improve their net run rate but also adds that the team's batsmen needed to spend some time in the middle, so priority was given there.
Faheem Ashraf has been named the PLAYER OF THE MATCH. Says that to get a pitch helpful for the bowlers is difficult in Pakistan, but he tried to just stick to a good line and length. If the length is good, then the batsmen going after you, give you chances of taking a wicket. Believes that his team is very good and being young, keeps fighting till the end.
Quetta Gladiators skipper, Sarfaraz Ahmed, admits that the other batsmen are not stepping up. On his own batting, he says that he was timing the ball well in the nets and he just brought that to the table. Feels that not taking wickets in the Powerplay is hurting them and in this game, the first 4 overs took the match away. Is full of praise for Zahid Mahmood and believes that he is a very great bowler for the future. On the plans up ahead, Sarfaraz says that they don't have anything to lose as they cannot qualify for the playoffs and just need to keep working hard and keep believing, trying for the win.
Paul Stirling is up for a chat. Stirling says that it feels nice to get some runs with his willow. On not being able to play the night before and wait for 24 hours, Paul says that it was tricky, as they had to wat till 11 in the morning before being told that they can play on Tuesday. On him getting on top of the bounce, Stirling says that pace on the ball helped him and he was able to hit through the line. Feels great to be a part of a lively environement and an enjoyable bio bubble.
Earlier in the evening, Quetta Gladiators were reeling at 41/4 before a Sarfaraz Ahmed special took them past 150. Things could have been worse had Ben Cutting's catch been taken. Islamabad United's bowling was the opposite to that of the Gladiators. Only one bowler had an off day while the others were brilliant, especially Hasan Ali and Faheem Ashraf. Please stay tuned for the presentation...
Another forgetful night with the ball for the Gladiators. They are just not able to get it together, are they? Mohammad Hasnain bowled with fire and enthusiasm, Naseem Shah tried hard but lacked control while Zahid Mahmood was brilliant. But overall, they lacked someone who could give control and take wickets.
It was Paul Stirling's night. He pulvarized the Gladiators with some scintillating batting, His 33-ball 56, comprising of 8 fours and 2 sixes, just knocked Quetta Gladiators out of the park. 76 came in the Powerplay, which was nearly half the target needed. After that, Rohail Nazir played a neat cameo at number 3, giving Islamabad United more batting options for the future.
Dominance shown almost from the start to the finish. Began well with the ball, lost it a bit in the middle, came back well towards the end and then the blitz at the start with the bat killed Quetta's chances completely. This is the first win for Islamabad United over Quetta Gladiators since 2018. Achieved in some style.
In over# 1
1
1wd
1
0
1wd
1wd
1wd
4
4
0W
Mohammad Hasnain 34/1(4)
16.6
1
Simply done. A length ball, down the leg side, Talat just nudges it towards fine leg for the winning run. Islamabad United WIN BY 6 WICKETS!
16.6
1wd
Scores level with a late call for a WIDE. A bouncer on middle, Hussain Talat ducks. The square leg umpire signals it as a wide.
16.5
1
A short ball, outside off, AA mistimes it towards long on for a single.
16.4
.
Outside off, punched straight to point.
16.4
1wd
Hat-trick of wides. Mohammad Hasnain is trying to bowl it too quick and hence, lacking control. This could have been five wides but Sarfaraz Ahmed dives to his left to stop it.
In this season of PSL, in all the 11 matches prior to today, teams chasing had won the match. Islamabad are on the verge of keeping the record 100%.
16.4
1wd
Another wide. Again, full down the leg side, another flick shot missed.
16.4
1wd
WIDE. Full, down the leg side, Ali misses his flick.
16.3
4
FOUR! Sliced away again! A length ball, outside off, Asif slashes hard and the ball literally flies off the bat. Beats third man to his right again. 6 more needed for a win now.
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