Match 10 of the Pakistan Super League 2022 between Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators saw team United overcome their opposition in another high-scoring encounter played at the National Stadium in Karachi. Posting a gigantic 229/4 in the first half, United came out on top by a healthy margin of 43 runs.
Gladiators made the decision to bowl first after winning the toss, hoping to restrict United. However, what followed would’ve made them regret their call, as United batters dominated their way through the first half.
The trio of Paul Stirling, Colin Munro and Azam Khan were the stand-outs. Stirling, once again, blasted the opposition inside the powerplay overs and finished with a 28-ball 58. This, before Munro also smashed Gladiators to all parts for his unbeaten 72 off just 39 deliveries.
But, in a way, what would’ve pleased United the most is their young keeper Khan showcasing his mettle on the night. Inspired by the two senior men from abroad, Khan struck the Gladiators’ bowling attack for a knock of 65 off 35 deliveries.
Left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz (2/32) was the only shining light amid the gloom for Gladiators, who needed a better allround bowling effort to keep the damage below 200. Once that didn’t happen, they carried extra pressure on them through the second half.
Nawaz continued from where he left in the first-innings and showcased his allround prowess, scoring a fighting 47 off just 22 balls to give his team an outside chance. James Faulkner’s cameo of 30* off 14 balls also kept Gladiators alive for a bit before United eventually reached home. Earlier in the innings, opener Ahsan Ali (50 off 27) had played his part in keeping his team in the hunt. But stutters in the middle-order were always going to hold the Gladiators back.
United had their skipper Shadab Khan bagging a rare T20 five-fer (5/28), which meant that even as their other bowling stalwart – Hasan Ali (2/50) – proved expensive, they could still keep Gladiators under immense pressure.
Brief scores
Islamabad United 229/4 in 20 overs (Munro 72*, Khan 65; Nawaz 2/32) beat Quetta Gladiators 186/10 in 19.3 overs (Ali 50, Nawaz 47; Khan 5/28) by 43 runs
