United crush Kingsmen to join Zalmi, Sultans in playoffs
Now the fight for the final playoff spot will be held between Lahore Qalandars, Hyderabad Kingsmen, Quetta Gladiators and Karachi Kings.
By Alam Zeb Safi
KARACHI: Richard Gleeson produced a masterclass in pace bowling as Islamabad United dismantled Hyderabad Kingsmen by eight wickets in a one-sided HBL PSL 11 encounter at the National Stadium on Friday.
In a match that lasted just over 22 overs in total, the Kingsmen were skittled out for a paltry 80 before United’s top order, led by a blistering cameo from Mohsin Riaz, chased down the target with 80 balls to spare. This is also the lowest total of this season.
Choosing to field first, Islamabad United immediately justified the decision. Richard Gleeson (3-9) dismantled Kingsmen’s top order in a lethal opening spell. He struck with the very first ball of the match, removing Maaz Sadaqat for a duck, before returning to dismiss captain Marnus Labuschagne (5) and off-colour Saim Ayub (12).
Kingsmen never recovered from the powerplay where they slumped to 34-3. Despite a gritty, unbeaten 25 from Usman Khan, who played a lone hand across 35 deliveries, the middle order crumbled against the spin of Shadab Khan (3-13) and Imad Wasim (3-21). The final three wickets fell for just four runs as the Kingsmen were bundled out for 80 in 15.5 overs.
The chase began with a brief flutter when Devon Conway was caught for a duck off Mohammad Ali in the first over. However, any hopes of a Kingsmen fightback were ruthlessly extinguished by Sameer Minhas and debutant Mohsin Riaz.
The pair put on a devastating 79-run partnership for the second wicket in just 37 balls. Riaz was the aggressor, smashing 42 off 18 balls, including six boundaries and two towering sixes. Minhas anchored the chase with an unbeaten 27, featuring three fours and a six.
By the time Riaz fell to Mohammad Ali in the seventh over, the scores were level. Captain Shadab Khan walked out to strike a boundary off his only delivery to seal the win and two points, propelling United to playoffs with 11 points to their credit with a game in hand.
Saturday’s fixtures: Karachi Kings v Quetta Gladiators (2:30pm Gaddafi Stadium Lahore), Lahore Qalandars v Peshawar Zalmi (7pm at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore)
Summarised scores
Hyderabad Kingsmen Innings: 80 all out (15.5 overs) Usman Khan 25* (35), Saim Ayub 12 (12), Kusal Perera 12 (10), Richard Gleeson 3-9, Shadab Khan 3-13, Imad Wasim 3-21
Islamabad United Innings: 83-2 (6.4 overs) Mohsin Riaz 42 (18), Sameer Minhas 27* (20), Mohammad Ali 2-29
Richard Gleeson (Man of the match)
