Chasing a challenging 184-run target, Islamabad United reached total comfortably in the 19th over with just two wickets down
LAHORE: (UrduPoint/Pakistan Point News-April 2nd, 2026) Islamabad United clinched their first victory in the ongoing HBL Pakistan Super League season 11, defeating Quetta Gladiators by eight wickets at Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.
Chasing a challenging 184-run target, Islamabad United reached the total comfortably in the 19th over with just two wickets down, powered by a superb unbeaten knock from Sameer Minhas and a captain’s innings by Shadab Khan.
The run chase began on a solid note as Devon Conway and Sameer Minhas provided early momentum with a brisk opening stand. Conway, however, fell for 18 after being dismissed by Abrar Ahmed, who soon struck again to remove Andries Gous, leaving United at 61-2 inside seven overs.
Following the early setbacks, Minhas and Shadab rebuilt the innings with composure, stitching together a crucial partnership that shifted the momentum firmly in Islamabad’s favour. Both batters reached their half-centuries, with Minhas registering his maiden PSL fifty and Shadab notching up another impressive knock as skipper.
The duo accelerated in the middle overs, bringing up a century stand and taking the total beyond 150 before sealing the chase with ease. Minhas remained unbeaten on 83 off 48 balls, hitting eight fours and three sixes, while Shadab contributed a fluent 68 off 38 deliveries, laced with five fours and four sixes.
Earlier, Quetta Gladiators posted 183-5 in their allotted 20 overs after being put in to bat. Openers Shamyl Hussain and Saud Shakeel gave their side a rapid start, adding 50 runs before Hussain was dismissed by Salman Irshad for 21.
Saud Shakeel continued the momentum with a quickfire 42 but was removed by Shadab Khan, who played a key role with the ball as well. Despite steady contributions, Quetta struggled to build long partnerships as wickets fell at regular intervals.
Middle-order batter Hassan Nawaz then anchored the innings with an unbeaten 64 off 35 balls, supported by Tom Curran, who added 29. The pair stitched together a valuable partnership to push the total past 180.
Among the bowlers, Shadab Khan stood out with figures of 3 for 23, while Imad Wasim and Salman Irshad chipped in with one wicket apiece.
Playing XIs:
Quetta Gladiators XI: Saud Shakeel (capt), Shamyl Hussain, Hasan Nawaz, Khawaja Nafay, Bevon Jacobs, Ben McDermott (wk), Tom Curran, Ahmed Daniyal, Alzarri Joseph, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq
Islamabad United XI: Devon Conway, Sameer Minhas, Andries Gous (wk), Mark Chapman, Shadab Khan (capt), Haider Ali, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Chris Green, Salman Mirza, Salman Irshad
