Rilee Rossouw and Hasan Nawaz’s blistering centuries, followed by a combined bowling effort, propelled Quetta Gladiators to a resounding 109-run victory over defending champions Islamabad United in the 26th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
Opting to bat first, Quetta posted an imposing total of 263/3 in their 20 overs, setting a new record for the highest total in PSL history. The innings was anchored by a dominant 134-run partnership between Rossouw and Nawaz, showcasing exceptional power hitting.
Although the Gladiators had a shaky start with openers Saud Shakeel and Finn Allen managing just 24 runs before Allen was run out for five in the third over, they recovered quickly.
Shakeel then added 36 quick runs with Rossouw before falling to Naseem Shah in the final over of the powerplay. The skipper contributed 23 off 18 balls, hitting three boundaries.
Once Saud departed, Rossouw and Hasan Nawaz took complete control of the innings. Rossouw was the chief aggressor, smashing a sensational 104 off just 46 balls, laced with 20 boundaries, including six sixes. He was eventually dismissed by Imad Wasim in the 16th over, just as Quetta approached the 200-run mark.
Hasan Nawaz, on the other hand, batted through the innings, finishing with an unbeaten 100 off 45 balls, including nine fours and four sixes. After Rossouw’s departure, Nawaz shared another valuable 69-run stand for the fourth wicket with Mark Chapman, who remained not out on 13 off 8 balls.
Islamabad’s bowlers had a rough day, with only Imad Wasim and Naseem Shah managing to pick up a wicket each.
Chasing a daunting 264-run target, Islamabad United’s batting unit collapsed under pressure, getting bundled out for just 154 in 19.3 overs.
Their innings got off to a disastrous start when veteran pacer Mohammad Amir removed both openers, Kyle Mayers for a duck and Sahibzada Farhan for one, in the very first over.
Mohammad Shahzad tried to counterattack, scoring a brisk 24 off 13 deliveries, which included three boundaries and a six. He put together brief partnerships with stand-in captain Salman Ali Agha, who scored six, and Mohammad Nawaz, who made 10 off just four balls.
However, Shahzad fell to Mohammad Wasim Jr in the fourth over, and Nawaz followed soon after, dismissed by Khurram Shahzad in the next.
Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, and United found themselves in deep trouble at 68 for 8 by the ninth over. The only notable resistance came from all-rounder Imad Wasim, who came in at number nine and managed to stabilize the innings slightly. He shared a cautious 55-run partnership with Ben Dwarshuis, who scored 31 off 24 deliveries, hitting one four and two sixes.
Imad top-scored for Islamabad with a valiant 56 off 41 balls, which included five fours and two sixes. He was eventually dismissed on the third delivery of the final over by Mohammad Wasim Jr.
Among Quetta’s bowlers, Mohammad Amir stood out with exceptional figures of three wickets for just six runs in his two overs. He was well supported by Mohammad Wasim Jr and Abrar Ahmed, who took two wickets apiece. Faheem Ashraf, Khurram Shahzad, and captain Saud Shakeel each chipped in with one wicket.
Quetta Gladiators: Saud Shakeel (Captain), Abrar Ahmed, Hassan Nawaz, Mohammad Amir, Mark Chapman, Rilee Rossouw, Kusal Mendis (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Faheem Ashraf, Khurram Shahzad, Fin Allen
Islamabad United: Salman Ali Agha (Captain), Kyle Mayers, Sahibzada Farhan, Haider Ali, Azam Khan (wk), Muhammad Nawaz, Jason Holder, Ben Dwarshuis, Imad Wasim, Muhammad Shahzad, Naseem Shah
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