Hasan Nawaz stars in Gladiators sensational victory

By our correspondent
LAHORE: The luckiest Hasan Nawaz (64 not out) emerged as hero as he played a stunning knock to enable Quetta Gladiators to conquer Islamabad United by two wickets after a sensational finish in their HBL PSL X match at the Gaddafi Stadium Lahore on Saturday night.
Chasing 158 Gladiators needed 15 runs from the final over of Mohammad Shahzad. Hasan, dropped three times in the last over, hit a couple of big sixes, also including the winning six off the second last ball, to gift a fantastic win to Gladiators.
Gladiators, with their fifth win, displaced United from the summit with 11 points from eight games.
Hasan smashed four fours and two sixes in his 41-ball unbeaten knock.
Set to chase a tricky target of 158, Quetta Gladiators lost early wicket when their skipper Saud Shakeel (7) was smartly held by Mohammad Shahzad at point when the left-hander went for a cut.
In the next over Naseem Shah took a valuable wicket of Finn Allen when he was excellently held by Jason Holder after the New Zealand player smashed one six and two fours in his 13-ball 20. Gladiators were 28-2 when Allen departed.
However, at this stage Rilee Roussouw and Hasan Nawaz batted with judicious approach and built the innings by sharing 72 runs for the third wicket association. A big mix-up caused the departure of Rossouw who got run out after he was sent back by Hasan. The South African dived full length but was found short of the crease after a direct throw crashed the stumps.
Rossouw smashed four fours in his 24-ball 27. And in the next over Nawaz picked up the vital wicket of Mark Chapman (2) to leave Qalandars struggling at 84-4 in the 11th over.
Gladiators kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Jason Holder got rid of Haseebullah (7), Agha Salman removed Faheem Ashraf (6) and Salman Irshad sent Kyle Jamieson (3) back to leave Gladiators reeling at 117-7 in the 16th over.
In the last two overs Gladiators needed 21 to win. Naseem Shah gave away six runs and took the wicket of Mohammad Wasim Junior who hit 11-ball 16 with two fours.
However Hasan kept cool and made his team home.
Naseem Shah and Salman Irshad took two wickets each.
Earlier Mohammad Nawaz played a valuable innings of 34-ball 49 to enable Islamabad United to reach a reasonably good total of 157-9.
Nawaz, who came to bat when United were 77-4 in the tenth over, batted superbly. He was seen busy in managing fine strokes while at the other end wickets kept falling consistently.
Nawaz smashed five huge sixes and one four in his fantastic knock.
After being invited to bat first by Quetta Gladiators’ skipper Saud Shakeel who won a crucial toss United were off to a fine start. Openers Sahibzada Farhan (39) and Kyle Mayers (22) provided a solid platform to United by adding 58 runs off just 30 balls for the opening stand. It was spinner Abrar Ahmed who broke the partnership when he clean-bowled Kyle Mayers immediately after the West Indies hard-hitting batsman smacked him for a glorious six.
Mayers smashed three fours and a six from 17 balls.
And it triggered a collapse. Faheem Ashraf, who was introduced in the ninth over, got rid of Colin Munro (9) and Agha Salman (0) in one over to bring Quetta Gladiators into the game.
In the next over Saud Shakeel himself opted to bowl left-arm spin and it paid dividend. He clean-bowled dangerous Sahibzada Farhan. It was a straightish delivery, Sahibzada went for a big shot, it kept low before crashing the stumps. Sahibzada smashed four huge sixes and two fours in his rapid 24-ball 39.
After Farhan’s departure Mohammad Nawaz took the centre stage and he, with some lusty hitting, shepherded his side to a good total in the end.
Haider Ali was sent at No 8 and the hard-hitting batsman smashed one six in his eight-ball ten. Jason Holder also managed a few fine strokes in the end, striking two fours in his 11-ball 14 not out.
It was again a fine day for seasoned all-rounder Faheem Ashraf who took 4-25 in three overs.
After dislodging Munro and Agha Salman in his first over Faheem then managed two more wickets in his second over by getting rid of Andries Gous (8) and Mohammad Shahzad (0) to leave United gasping at 91-6.
Kyle Jamieson, Khurram Shahzad, Abrar Ahmed and Saud Shakeel got one wicket each.
Khurram looked too good as he generated good pace and bounce in the start due to grass on the pitch.
United scored 59-1 in the powerplay and produced 58 runs in the final five overs.