KARACHI: Islamabad United crushed Quetta Gladiators by 39 runs in the first eliminator at the National Bank Stadium on Friday, dashigning the team’s chances of bringing an end to their four-year HBL Pakistan Super League trophy drought.
After Martin Guptill struck a half-century for United, the Gladiators’ top order collapsed as they attempted to chase 175; youthful batter Omair bin Yousuf made a heroic fifty, but it was in vain.
Even though Quetta made it to the playoffs for the first time in four years, the loss meant they lost out on yet another opportunity to win their second PSL championship.
On Saturday, United will play Peshawar Zalmi in the second eliminator; the latter team lost to Multan Sultans in the qualifying round.
By the end of the powerplay, Quetta was struggling at 23-5 as spinner Imad Wasin and pacer Naseem Shah were wreaking havoc with the new ball.
After that, Omair and Akeal Hosein put up 52 off 34 for the sixth wicket. Hosein smashed three gorgeous sixes in his 18-ball innings for 31, but a terrible mix-up that resulted in a run out terminated Omair’s time at the wicket.
Omair and Mohammad Amir combined for 41 off 20, but just as they appeared to be taking the game away from United, pacer Obed McCoy struck to dismiss Amir, thereby ending United’s PSL campaign.
Following their victory in the toss and choice to bat first, United amassed 174-9 thanks to Guptill’s half-century in his debut game.
Against his former squad, the New Zealander hit 54 off 47 balls, smashing five fours and a six.
Salman Ali Agha (31 off 21), Islamabad captain Shadab Khan (23 off 13), and Azam Khan (a late addition, hitting two sixes and a four for 18 off six balls) all made significant contributions to his effort.
Hosein, a spinner, cleaned up Azam, and United lost four wickets in 15 balls and 12 runs, unable to maintain the momentum they had created earlier.
Haider Ali and Imad were run outs in two of these dismissals, and Amir, who finished with remarkable figures of 2-20 in his four overs, was responsible for the other two. Hosein conceded 34 runs in as many overs as he claimed two wickets.
Islamabad United prevailed by a score of 39 runs.
