Quetta Gladiators captain Sarfraz Ahmed and opener Ahmed Shehzad batted sensibly to steer their team to an easy 7-wicket victory against Islamabad United in the 11th game of inaugural Pakistan Super League (PSL) here at Sharjah Cricket Stadium late on Thursday.
Shehzad made 41 runs off 31 balls hitting 5 fours and a six while Sarfraz completed his half-century and remained unbeaten at 51 in 39 balls hitting 6 fours. Mohammad Nawaz also contributed with 14 not out to reach the ordinary target of 118 runs.
Andre Russel took all three wickets for the United.
Quetta Gladiators bowlers were at their best against Islamabad United in restricting them to mere 117 all out in 19.1 overs earlier on Thursday night.
Graham Elliot, replacing Elton Chigumbura, took three wickets for 25 runs in his 4 overs. Zulfiqar Babar and Aizaz Cheema, in for Umar Gul for today’s match, grabbed two wickets each while Anwar Ali, Mohammad Nawaz and Mohammad Nabi shared one wicket each for the Gladiators.
United batting could not reinvigorate after Shane Watson got out for 40 off 28 balls in the 7th over.
Quetta Gladiators captain Sarfraz Ahmed had won the toss and elected to field first against Islamabad United.
Peshawar Zalmi have jumped to the top of the table with a three-run victory over Karachi Kings earlier in the evening. Quetta Gladiators, however, can snatch the top spot back, if they win against Islamabad United tonight.
United skipper Misbah-ul-Haq is not included in the playing eleven as he is reportedly still recovering from the calf injury. Shane Watson is captaining the side in his absence for the second game in a row.
Islamabad United: Shane Watson(c), Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Latif, Kamran Ghulam, Imran Khalid, SW Billings, BJ Haddin, AD Russell, Saeed Ajmal, Rumman Raees, Mohammad Irfan
Quetta Gladiators: Ahmed Shehzad, LJ Wright, KP Pietersen, GD Elliott, Sarfraz Ahmed(c), Mohammad Nabi, Anwar Ali, Zulfiqar Babar, Akbar-ur-Rehman, Mohammad Nawaz (3), Aizaz Cheema