CRICKET
PSL: Easy win for Islamabad over Quetta
Shadab stole the show with a 5-for before Munro, Azam and Stirling dispatched the ball all around the ground to put 229 runs on the board.
Islamabad won by 43 runs as Queeta was bowled out on 186 runs.
Shahid Afridi had a horrible return to the side as he failed badly both with the bat and bowl.
Islamabad United 20 overs 229-4
Munro 72*(39) Nawaz 2-32 Azam 65 (35) Faulkner 1-45 Stirling 58 (28) Afridi 1-67
Quetta Gladiators 19.3 overs 186 all-out
Ahsan 50 (27) Shadab 5-28 Nawaz 47 (22) Wasim 2-27 Faulkner 30*(14) Hasan 2-50
Islamabad United put a huge total of 229-4 on the board after batting first on the invitation of Quetta Gladiators.
It was a destructive batting performance from the Islamabad batters.
Stirling, Munro, and Azam scored superb and quick half-centuries.
M. Nawaz picked up 2 wickets and he was also the most economical bowler for Queeta Gladiators.
Quetta never looked consistent in their chase as they keep losing wickets at regular intervals.
The in-form opener, Ahsan Ali gave Quetta a little hope by scoring his 3rd half-century of the tournament but 230 was like a mountain to climb.
After losing 7 wickets on 110 runs, Nawaz and Faulkner played some brilliant cameos to lessen the losing margin for Quetta.
Nawaz scored 47 off 22 while Faulkner remained not out on 30 runs as Quetta was bowled out on 186 runs.
The Fiery start from Islamabad United
Islamabad United played aggressive cricket which they are known for right from the start of their innings.
Due to the destructive batting from the openers, Islamabad reached their half-century within their first 4 overs.
Alex Hales was caught at mid-on on the last ball of the 4th over after scoring 22 off just 9 balls.
Paul Stirling played another brilliant knock to give his side a quick start.
He thrashed 58 runs off just 28 balls that helped Islamabad to score 81 runs from the powerplay.
Stirling smashed 3 sixes and 7 fours in his second half-century of the season.
Munro and Azam Khan’s destructive partnership
Colin Munro and Azam Khan shared a magnificent 93 runs stand after losing Stirling and Shadab in quick succession.
Munro was playing his first game of the season but he looked a million dollars as he smashed an unbeaten 72 runs off just 39 deliveries including 3 fours and 5 sixes.
The big man Azam Khan was more aggressive in the last part of the innings.
The right-handed batter scored 65 runs off just 35 balls.
He smashed 2 fours and 6 sixes including a huge six of 107 meters.
Later, he was bowled out by Shahid Afridi after smashing 3 sixes against him in the last over.
Shadab’s excellent 5-wicket haul
Shadab failed with the bat today but he was excellent with the bowl as he picked up a superb five-wicket haul.
Shadab bowled superbly against the opposition batters who were looking to score at a quick rate.
The leggie claimed a match-winning spell of 5-28 in his 4 overs to vanquish Quetta’s hopes of winning the match.