In the 17th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL)—the second match of the night—Islamabad United beat Quetta Gladiators by a single run.
Islamabad United managed to score 165 for the loss of six wickets after Quetta Gladiators won the toss and asked them to bat first.
Hussain Talat was the leading run-getter for Islamabad, as he scored 56 off 39. Misbah made 25 off 25 with Shane Watson chipping in late with 29 off just 16 deliveries.
Zulfiqar Babar was the pick of bowlers for Quetta. He managed to grab two wickets bowling at an economy of 4.25 in four overs.
In reply, a solid 130 runs partnership between Ahmed Shehzad and Kevin Pietersen put Quetta Gladiators in front: Pietersen scored a swashbuckling 69, whereas Shehzad scored 59.
A Gladiators win looked academic as Quetta Gladiators needed six runs from the last over bowled by veteran Mohammad Sami—who was celebrating his birthday—but they only managed three, giving Islamabad United an improbable victory. Islamabad get through to the playoffs with this win.
The birthday boy Mohammad Sami was declared the man of the match for his exquisite bowling in the final over.
Gladiators’ captain Sarfraz said: “Didn’t think this would happen. Sami bowled really well. That’s cricket. It was our fault. We didn’t take it easy but Sami bowled well.”
The earlier occasion, when both these teams played each other in this tournament, was a rousing encounter in which holders Islamabad United rode on a brilliant innings of 78 by Sam Billings to beat Quetta Gladiators by five wickets.
