LAHORE: Quetta Gladiators defeated defending champion Islamabad United by 30 runs to reach the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final, which is scheduled to be played on May 25.
Chasing 210 runs, Islamabad United crashed for just 179 in 19.4 overs, losing a crucial Qualifier match at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.
The United will take on the winning team of the Eliminator 1 between arch-rivals Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings, scheduled to be played on May 23 at Gaddafi Stadium.
At the outset of the inning, Islamabad lost its star opener Alex Hales on a duck [zero score] in the second over with just eight runs on the board.
Following the early setback, Rassie van der Dussen and in-form Sahibzada Farhan managed to anchor a 71-run partnership before Mohammad Wasim Jr claiming wicket of Dussen in the ninth over.
Later, Sahibzada Farhan couniued was then involved in a brief 22-run partnership for the third wicket with Salman Ali Agha until eventually falling victim to Usman Tariq after scoring 35-ball 52.
Captain Shadab Khan had a brief cameo, scoring 16 before falling to Abrar Ahmed. Meanwhile, James Neesham, Imad Wasim, and Naseem Shah all fell cheaply, failing to reach double figures.
Salman Agha played aggressively, smashing 44 off 26 balls to keep United’s hopes alive, but once he was dismissed, the writing was on the wall as the team was bowled out for 179.
Usman Tariq emerged as the star bowler for Quetta, finishing with impressive figures of 3 wickets for 32 runs. Mohammad Amir and Faheem Ashraf also bowled effectively, taking two wickets each.
Earlier, the Gladiators didn’t have an ideal start as captain Saud Shakeel was dismissed early after scoring 12 off 8 balls, caught behind off Ben Dwarshuis.
Soon, Rilee Rossouw joined Finn Allen, and the pair hammered 44 runs off just 19 balls, taking the total to 58. However, Dwarshuis came to United’s rescue by taking the crucial wicket of Rossouw.
Hasan Nawaz, who is regarded as one of the finds of the season for his outstanding batting displays, fell early after scoring six off four deliveries.
With three batsmen back in the dugout within the powerplay, Allen was joined by Sri Lankan Avishka Fernando, and together they steadied the ship with a 43-run partnership. But just when the Gladiators looked set to cruise, they suffered a double blow as both settled batsmen were dismissed, scoring 41 and 32 respectively.
With half the side already dismissed,, Islamabad were eager to wrap up proceedings with quick wickets, but Faheem Ashraf and his Sri Lankan teammate Dinesh Chandimal had other ideas. The duo put together a 95-run partnership off just 48 balls, thrashing United bowlers—especially Naseem Shah, who conceded 50 runs in his four overs.
Dinesh Chandimal remained unbeaten on 48 from 28 balls, smashing 4 fours and 3 sixes, well supported by Faheem Ashraf at the other end with a blazing 45 off just 23 balls, including 4 fours and 3 sixes, before being caught off Salman Irshad in the penultimate over as Gladiators posted 209/6 in 20 overs.
Ben Dwarshuis and Salman Irshad were the pick of the bowlers, each picking up 2 wickets, while Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan chipped in with a wicket apiece.
