HBL PSL X: Quetta Gladiators cruise to final with 30-run win over Islamabad United
Photo: PSL
Faheem Ashraf’s all-round performance and disciplined bowling helped Quetta Gladiators secure a spot in the final of the tenth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) by defeating Islamabad United by 30 runs at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.
Chasing 210 for victory, Islamabad United struggled against the Gladiators’ disciplined bowling and were bundled out for 179. Ashraf was named man of the match for his impactful all-round display.
United had a shaky start as Alex Hales, who had smashed 88 off 38 deliveries in the previous match, was dismissed without scoring by Faheem Ashraf.
Faheem strikes gold with his first delivery! 🎯
Hales walks back before even breaking a sweat. 🔥 #HBLPSLX | #ApnaXHai | #QGvIU pic.twitter.com/shUvFvZh8OHowever, Sahibzada Farhan, enjoying a promising season, capitalized on his form and put on a 71-run partnership with South African Rassie van der Dussen before Mohammad Wasim Jr rattled Dussen’s stumps to claim the second breakthrough.
Van Der Dussen, on a mission 🫡#HBLPSLX | #ApnaXHai | #QGvIU pic.twitter.com/cSeDG37ef6
Farhan went on to score another half-century, top-scoring with a solid 52 off 35 balls, including eight boundaries and a six.
Sahibzada Farhan with a little slice of cover drive perfection. 🍰
Caressed for four! 🏏✨ #HBLPSLX | #ApnaXHai | #QGvIU pic.twitter.com/pQ8M5tDxK3Islamabad seemed well placed to chase down the target, but ones opener fall at the end of the 11th over, the innings began to unravel as the team failed to build significant partnerships and kept losing wickets at regular intervals.
🔊 SOUND ON 🔊
Partnership broken ✅
Wasim Jr strikes ⚡️#HBLPSLX | #ApnaXHai | #QGvIU pic.twitter.com/3LHTVPW3hLCaptain Shadab Khan had a brief cameo, scoring 16 before falling to Abrar Ahmed. Meanwhile, James Neesham, Imad Wasim, and Naseem Shah all fell cheaply, failing to reach double figures.
Salman Agha played aggressively, smashing 44 off 26 balls to keep United’s hopes alive, but once he was dismissed, the writing was on the wall as the team was bowled out for 179.
📢 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐏 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆. 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒.
Saud Shakeel takes a 𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 😲#HBLPSLX | #ApnaXHai | #QGvIU pic.twitter.com/Aa001ftZZQUsman Tariq emerged as the star bowler for Quetta, finishing with impressive figures of 3 wickets for 32 runs. Mohammad Amir and Faheem Ashraf also bowled effectively, taking two wickets each.
Agha takes the ‘fine’ route — literally! 💫 #HBLPSLX | #ApnaXHai | #QGvIU pic.twitter.com/r3hihGKzyW
With this win, Quetta Gladiators secured a comfortable victory and a place in the PSL final to be played on Sunday.
And that’s the match!
A dominant day from the Gladiators, with batters leading the charge, bowlers keeping it tight and fielders taking crucial catches. #HBLPSLX | #ApnaXHai | #QGvIU pic.twitter.com/OBNDq6lKXAEarlier, the Gladiators didn’t have an ideal start as captain Saud Shakeel was dismissed early after scoring 12 off 8 balls, caught behind off Ben Dwarshuis.
Soon, Rilee Rossouw joined Finn Allen, and the pair hammered 44 runs off just 19 balls, taking the total to 58. However, Dwarshuis came to United’s rescue by taking the crucial wicket of Rossouw.
Short third? More like Superman Shah! 🦸♂️
Opposition skipper successfully removed. #HBLPSLX | #ApnaXHai | #QGvIU pic.twitter.com/4ipoLe6ssUHasan Nawaz, who is regarded as one of the finds of the season for his outstanding batting displays, fell early after scoring six off four deliveries.
FOUR. FOUR. FOUR. FOUR 🔥
Finn Allen just hit ‘repeat’ on Naseem’s over 😲#HBLPSLX | #ApnaXHai | #QGvIU pic.twitter.com/sFXxjzn6FvWith three batsmen back in the dugout within the powerplay, Allen was joined by Sri Lankan Avishka Fernando, and together they steadied the ship with a 43-run partnership. But just when the Gladiators looked set to cruise, they suffered a double blow as both settled batsmen were dismissed, scoring 41 and 32 respectively.
And Goodbye! 😶🌫️
Shadab takes an EXCELLENT catch to help dismiss Hassan Nawaz!#HBLPSLX | #ApnaXHai | #QGvIU pic.twitter.com/aCKilquerfWith half the side already dismissed,, Islamabad were eager to wrap up proceedings with quick wickets, but Faheem Ashraf and his Sri Lankan teammate Dinesh Chandimal had other ideas.
That is a LOVELY shot by Avishka 👌 #HBLPSLX | #ApnaXHai | #QGvIU pic.twitter.com/E9jV2oVcHd
The duo put together a 95-run partnership off just 48 balls, thrashing United bowlers—especially Naseem Shah, who conceded 50 runs in his four overs.
Straight into the Lahore sky! ✨
Chandimal with a 6 that had elegance written all over it. 🎬 #HBLPSLX | #ApnaXHai | #QGvIU pic.twitter.com/9wYSCRp37dDinesh Chandimal remained unbeaten on 48 from 28 balls, smashing 4 fours and 3 sixes, well supported by Faheem Ashraf at the other end with a blazing 45 off just 23 balls, including 4 fours and 3 sixes, before being caught off Salman Irshad in the penultimate over as Gladiators posted 209/6 in 20 overs.
🎇Fireworks ensue 🎇
Faheem Ashraf is here! #HBLPSLX | #ApnaXHai | #QGvIU pic.twitter.com/DYIFIPpfFeBen Dwarshuis and Salman Irshad were the pick of the bowlers, each picking up 2 wickets, while Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan chipped in with a wicket apiece.
Quetta Gladiators: Saud Shakeel (Captain), Finn Allen, Hasan Nawaz, +Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Rilee Rossouw, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Wasim, Usman Tariq, Abrar Ahmed.
Islamabad United: Shadan Khan (Captain), Sahibzada Farhan, Alex Hales, Rassie van der Dussen, Salman Agha, James Neesham, Ben Dwarshuis, Imad Wasim, +Ghazi Ghori, Salman Irshad, Naseem Shah.