By Alam Zeb Safi
LAHORE: A blistering fifty from Sameer Minhas propelled Islamabad United to a commanding seven-wicket victory over Rawalpindiz in their HBL PSL 11 game at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.
Chasing a modest target of 157, United raced to 157-3 in just 14.2 overs, finishing the contest with 34 balls to spare as Minhas struck a dazzling 70 off 36 deliveries, laced with seven fours and four sixes.
After electing to field, United’s bowlers set the tone early. Richard Gleeson removed both Mohammad Rizwan (2) and Yasir Khan (2) inside the powerplay, leaving Rawalpindiz struggling at 15-2.
A 51-run third-wicket partnership between Kamran Ghulam and Daryl Mitchell briefly steadied the innings. Ghulam top-scored with 50 off 39 balls, hitting six fours and two sixes while Mitchell contributed 19 from 15 balls with two boundaries.
However, regular strikes halted momentum. Faheem Ashraf dismissed Ghulam and Rishad Hossain while Salman Irshad removed Mitchell and Abdullah Fazal (23 off 16, two sixes). Imad Wasim chipped in with the wicket of Sam Billings (7).
Late fireworks from Dian Forrester lifted Rawalpindiz to a competitive 156-7. Forrester hammered an unbeaten 44 off 19 balls, smashing two fours and four sixes, dominating a late surge that yielded 39 runs in the final four overs.
United’s bowlers shared the spoils, with Gleeson (2-21), Ashraf (2-22) and Irshad (2-52) taking two wickets apiece, while Wasim’s economical 1-15 kept pressure on the middle order.
In reply, United’s chase began briskly despite the early loss of Devon Conway (6). Minhas took control from the outset, racing to his fifty off just 25 balls, peppering the boundary with clean drives and lofted hits.
He shared a 58-run opening stand with Conway and then added 34 runs with Mohammad Faiq (19 off 16, two fours) to keep the chase firmly on track. Minhas’s innings featured authoritative stroke-play, including four towering sixes that broke the back of the chase.
After Minhas fell at 92-2, caught off Jalat Khan, United barely slowed. Haider Ali (26 not out off 16, three fours and a six) and Mark Chapman (24 not out off 7, four fours and a six) stitched together an unbeaten 45-run partnership, finishing the game in emphatic fashion.
Chapman’s late cameo ensured a rapid finish as United crossed the 150 mark in just 13.5 overs, underlining their dominance with the bat.
Rawalpindiz’s bowlers struggled to contain the scoring rate, with Jalat Khan, Rishad Hossain and Dian Forrester all conceding at over 12 runs per over.
Sameer Minhas was named player of the match for his match-defining innings that set up United’s comprehensive victory.
Summarised scores:
Rawalpindiz 156-7 (20 overs)
Kamran Ghulam 50 (39; 6×4, 2×6), Dian Forrester 44* (19; 2×4, 4×6), Abdullah Fazal 23 (16; 2×6), Gleeson 2-21, Faheem Ashraf 2-22, Salman Irshad 2-52, Imad Wasim 1-15
Islamabad United 157-3 (14.2 overs)
Sameer Minhas 70 (36; 7×4, 4×6), Haider Ali 26* (16; 3×4, 1×6), Mark Chapman 24* (7; 4×4, 1×6), Mohammad Faiq 19 (16; 2×4)
Result: Islamabad United won by seven wickets (with 34 balls remaining)
