Quetta Gladiators chased down a total of 200 set by the Islamabad franchise in Saturday’s Pakistan Super League encounter. Alex Hales’ 62, along with Faheem Ashraf’s explosive 55 powered the Islamabad United to a huge total of 199, following which fifties from Jason Roy and Sarfraz Ahmed, and a brilliant cameo from Umar Akmal ensured that the Gladiators sealed an impressive victory, continuing their hot and cold campaign this season.
The Quetta Gladiators’ captain Sarfaraz Ahmed won the toss and put the Islamabad franchise into bat. Hales and Rahmanullah Gurbaz’ blistering start might have made the Gladiators feel a tinge of regret with their decision.
However, Pakistani stalwart Shahid Afridi produced a few breakthroughs, including a run-out of Azam Khan, leaving United in a spot of bother at 102/5. Later on, Faheem Ashraf produced a power-packed innings of a 28-ball 55, as the Islamabad score leapt ahead. His excellent innings contained five boundaries and four maximums, as he was influential in taking the Islamabad total frighteningly close to 200, as they finished on 199/8 at the end of 20 overs.
In reply, the Gladiators were quite comfortable throughout their innings, with Ahsan Ali and Jason Roy giving them an excellent start, scoring 88 in just eight overs. The latter departed after scoring a blistering fifty, as he placed his team in a great position to move forwards. Vince and skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed stabilised the innings following Ali’s dismissal before Vince made his way back into the pavilion after a decent knock of 29.
The Quetta ship looked to have been scuttled after Ifthikar Ahmed’s dismissal, needing 61 in just 27, but Ahmed and veteran Umar Akmal used their vast experience to excellent effect, smashing some huge blows, to take their side close to victory.
Umar Akmal struck three sixes and departed with the Gladiators needing nine runs in seven balls but had done his job to perfection, reducing the equation drastically.
Sarfaraz was cool as a cucumber, as he smashed two boundaries in the final over to seal the deal for the Gladiators, and a match-winning half-century in 32 balls. Ahmed’s innings awarded him the man of the match as the Gladiators stayed at fourth position.
