LAHORE (PEN): Quetta Gladiators were getting closer. Although not cruising, they were nearing the paltry 139-run target set by Islamabad United with fair ease. United, meanwhile, were desperate.
They were not shying away from putting up a fight on a chilly night here in the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) match at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday. And the Shadab Khan-led side did so, only for a seasoned campaigner in Mohammad Amir to spoil their party as Quetta edged the match by three wickets.
Islamabad persistence started to reap its rewards when Quetta were needing just 23 off 25 balls after Quetta captain Rilee Rossouw had combined for a 62-run partnership with Sherfane Rutherford.
It started with pace sensation Naseem Shah, running in towards Rutherford, pitching the ball at a perfect length in line with off-stump and bamboozling the left-hander to send it flying.
The incoming Akeal Hosein launched off-spinner Salman Ali Agha for a huge six over wide long-on to make up for his West Indies team-mate’s dismissal, but was ran out on the next ball as Islamabad kept hoping.
The two-time champions’ hopes got even higher when Shadab castled Mohammad Wasim Jr with a ripper. But that was all to cherish for Islamabad as Amir walked in.
With a classical left-handed stance, the Pakistan discard cut Shadab in front of square effortlessly for a boundary, he played an even better shot off Rumman Raees’ pace in the next over for four more before nudging it yet again through the off-side and taking a single to give Quetta their third win in as many matches.
