The match was played in Abu Dhabi
11 June, 2021
PHOTO COURTESY: PCB
Colin Munro’s blistering unbeaten 90-run knock helped Islamabad United deliver crushing 10-wicket defeat to clueless Quetta Gladiators in HBL PSL 6 on Friday in Abu Dhabi.
Chasing a target of 134, Naseem Shah came as concussion substitute for Andre Russell and opened the bowling for Quetta.
Munro didn’t mind the change as he used the youngster’s pace to hit four boundaries in the first over.
Usman Khawaja also took inspiration from Munro as he smashed Jack Wildermuth for three boundaries in all-rounder’s first over in PSL.
Mohammad Hasnain fortunes weren’t much different from Naseem and Wildermuth, as he conceded 15 runs in his first over.
If that wasn’t enough, young pacer Khurram Shehzad also followed suit as he went for 21 runs in his second over.
Munro welcomed Zahid Mehmood with a four and brought up his fifty in just 20 balls. He followed that up by hitting one more four and two sixes, thereby scoring 97 runs in the powerplay, which is a new record for most runs scored in a powerplay in PSL history.
Khawaja also continued to chip in with boundaries at regular intevals, as he played a supporting role to Munro. He remained unbeaten on 40, as the opening pair chased the target in only 10 overs.
Earlier, Islamabad United pacers impressed with the ball as they bowled out Quetta Gladiators for 133 after opting to field first.
Opener Usman Khan, who scored 81 in his maiden PSL match, started from where he left off in Karachi, as he smashed Hasan Ali for a boundary on the first ball of the match.
The right-hand batsman followed it up by playing a magnificent cover-drive to end Hasan’s over, which yielded 15 runs.
Quetta were off to a quick start but Mohammad Wasim Jr brought United back by castling Faf du Plessis’ stumps for 5.
United continued to exert pressure after picking Faf’s wicket as their pacers didn’t allow the Gladiators' batsmen to score freely in the powerplay, thus conceding only 36 runs.
Shadab Khan brought himself into the attack after powerplay and struck gold as he dismissed the dangerous looking Usman for 14.
Quetta kept losing wickets at regular interval as Gladiators captain Sarfaraz edged a delivery from Musa Khan to the wicketkeeper and departed after scoring only 2.
Australian import Jake Weatherald made use of his experience as he kept calm and rotated the strike by pinching quick singles and doubles as wickets fell around him. He took advantage of Musa’s inexperience by attacking the young pacer to up the ante.
Azam Khan, who recently earned a call-up to Pakistan team, showed his power-hitting ability straight away as he dispatched Shadab for a six over extra cover. Weatherald also helped himself to a six against Shadab as they stitched an important partnership for Gladiators.
Akif Javed, who troubled Quetta batsmen early, returned to break the partnership as clean bowled Weatherald for 43.
Andre Russell displayed his intentions from the get go as he smoked Musa Khan for two humongous sixes. Musa replied by a quick bouncer which rattled Russell’s helmet. Russell continued but not for long as he was caught for 13 on the next ball.
Wasim Jr kept impressing with his brilliant Yorkers, as he clean bowled Mohammad Nawaz in his third over.
However, it was Hasan Ali who jolted Quetta heavily as he removed the hard-hitter Azam Khan at the crucial juncute. Azam was caught behind after scoring 26 from 23 balls.
Hasan and Musa picked up two wickets each. But it was Wasim, who finished with brilliant figures of 2/12 from his four-over spell, thus helping United restrict Gladiators to a modest total.
