HBL PSL 5: Quetta defeat Islamabad after fascinating clash

Quetta Gladiators defeated two-time champions Islamabad United by five wickets after a fascinating clash at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium during the ongoing Habib Bank Limited (HBL) Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Chasing a target of 188 runs, Quetta got home with two balls to spare courtesy Jason Roy’s half-century, at the top of the order, and late cameo from Ben Cutting — 42 off 17 balls.

Skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed added a quick 20-ball 33 to keep Quetta in the hunt during the run chase. Meanwhile, Mohammad Nawaz remained unbeaten on 25 runs off 20 balls.

For Islamabad, all-rounder Faheem Ashraf and slow left-arm spinner Ahmed Safi Abdullah claimed two wickets each.   

Earlier, Islamabad posted 187/7 in their allotted 20 overs courtesy a brisk half-century from South African batsman Colin Ingram, who remained unbeaten on 63 runs off 41 balls, which included six fours and two sixes.

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Opener Colin Munro and captain Shadab Khan chipped in with breezy contributions of 31 and 39 runs respectively.

Despite losing three wickets, Luke Ronchi, Dawid Malan and Munro, inside the first powerplay, Islamabad kept the scoring rate high and took the attack to the Gladiators’ bowlers which helped them post a competitive total on the board.  

For the visiting side, pacer Naseem Shah was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/23 in four overs of quick fast-bowling. Fellow pacer Tymal Mills also claimed two wickets while fast-bowlers Mohammad Hasnain and Ben Cutting bagged one wicket each.

For his all-round performance Ben Cutting was declared player of the match.