Islamabad United had a difficult task ahead of them on Wednesday as they took on the mighty Quetta Gladiators. In a thrilling game, they went down again, this time by two wickets. This crushing loss was the third lost match in a row for Islamabad United which made their challenge to the league standing position even harder.
The Quetta Gladiators produced a fine display to chase down a target of 158 runs comfortably. They made it over the finish line with one ball to spare! Hasan Nawaz proved to be the decisive factor in their victory, scoring a jaw-dropping 64 runs off just 41 balls not out. His masterclass propelled the Gladiators’ pursuit, displaying a remarkable mix of aggression and poise in crunch situations.
The Gladiators were up against a formidable opponent throughout the game. They were in dire straits at 117 for 7 in the 16th over. Nawaz played a solid supporting role, maintaining the run flow. His teammates made some other huge plays that got the team back in the game and pulled off the victory. Unfortunately for Kyle Jamieson, he had a stinker. He was eventually dismissed for a measly three runs, raising the stakes even further during the Gladiators’ innings.
Islamabad United had serious issues with their batting order. Mohammad Nawaz obviously played a major role with 49 off 34 before he was out in Jamieson’s last over. The match scorecard reflected poorly on the team, with six Islamabad United batters managing 10 runs or fewer. This makes for a woeful lack of depth in their batting lineup.
Sahibzada Farhan and Kyle Mayers produced a scintillating opening stand of 58 runs. It was a stunning opening blast and it established the tone perfectly for Islamabad United. Their middle and lower order failed to build on this foundation, leading to a disappointing total of 157 runs.
Faheem Ashraf was the pick of the bowlers for Islamabad United, taking four wickets at the cost of just 25 runs. His bowling performance was nothing short of spectacular and held the Gladiators at bay during key moments of the match. Despite Ashraf’s incredible performance, it wasn’t enough to save him from another defeat.
After this win, Quetta Gladiators have taken the top spot in the table, with five wins, two defeats and one no result so far. Combined with their strong play all season long, the Fire have established themselves as one of the favorites to win the title this season.
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