By Alam Zeb Safi
LAHORE: Captain Shadab Khan produced a commanding all-round performance to lead Islamabad United to an eight-wicket victory over Quetta Gladiators in the HBL PSL 11 on Thursday, chasing down 184 with ten balls to spare at Gaddafi Stadium.
Shadab struck an unbeaten 69 off 39 balls after returning figures of 3-23 as United finished on 189-2 in 18.2 overs.
Quetta, who opted to bat first, posted a competitive 183-5 built around fluent contributions from Saud Shakeel and a late surge from Hasan Nawaz.
Skipper Shakeel set the early tempo with 42 off 26 balls, striking three fours and three sixes while Shamyl Hussain chipped in with 21 off 15 (one four, two sixes) in a 50-run opening stand inside five overs. After Hussain fell at 50, Shakeel added further impetus before becoming one of Shadab’s three victims.
Quetta slipped briefly from 88-2 to 93-5, with Shadab removing Ben McDermott and Bevon Jacobs in successive deliveries but Hasan Nawaz counterattacked with a sparkling unbeaten 66 off 36 balls, hitting six fours and three sixes. He shared an unbroken 90-run stand with Tom Curran (29 not out, two fours, one six) to lift Quetta to a challenging total.
Shadab Khan was the pick of the bowlers with 3-23 in his quota of four overs.
In reply, United were measured early, losing Devon Conway for 18 (two fours, one six) at 44 in the fifth over and Andries Gous soon after for two.
However, Sameer Minhas and Shadab then took control with a decisive 128 third-wicket partnership that broke Quetta’s resistance.
Minhas anchored the chase with a polished unbeaten 82 off 48 balls, striking eight fours and three sixes, reaching his maiden fifty off 32 deliveries. Shadab complemented him with a fluent knock, bringing up his fifty off 29 balls, including five fours and four sixes.
The pair added 50 runs in 35 balls and then accelerated to a 100-run stand in just 57 deliveries, effectively sealing the match. At the strategic timeout, United were well in control at 125-2 in 14 overs, before the duo powered past the target with ease.
Quetta’s bowling lacked penetration beyond Abrar Ahmed, who claimed both wickets for 29, as the rest of the attack conceded heavily under sustained pressure.
Shadab’s impact with both bat and ball ensured a comprehensive first victory for United from two games, underlining his growing influence as a leader and all-rounder in the tournament.
This was the maiden win from United from three games and they moved to three points while Quetta tasted their second defeat from three matches and they have just two points to their credit.
Summarised scores:
Quetta Gladiators 183-5 (20 overs)
Hasan Nawaz 66* (36; 6×4, 3×6), Saud Shakeel 42 (26; 3×4, 3×6), Tom Curran 29* (22; 2×4, 1×6),
Shadab Khan 3-23
Islamabad United 189-2 (18.2 overs)
Sameer Minhas 82* (48; 8×4, 3×6), Shadab Khan 69* (39; 5×4, 4×6), Devon Conway 18 (19; 2×4, 1×6), Abrar Ahmed 2-29
Result: Islamabad United won by eight wickets (with 10 balls remaining)
Player of the Match: Shadab Khan
