Sarfaraz, Hafeez Knocks Goes In Vain As Islamabad United Thrash Quetta Gladiators By 63 Runs In PSL 8

Quetta Gladiators have conceded their 4th defeat in 5 matches in PSL 8.

Cricket Image for Sarfaraz, Hafeez Knocks Goes In Vain As Islamabad United Thrash Quetta Gladiators (Image Source: Twitter)

QUE vs ISL: Despite valiant knocks by Mohammad Hafeez and Sarfaraz Ahmed, bottom-placed Quetta Gladiators were handed a 63-run defeat in the 13th match of Pakistan Super League 8. Islamabad wicket-keeper batter Azam Khan remained the hero of the match with his knock of 97 runs. 

Chasing a mammoth 221 runs to win, Gladiators were dealt a huge blow as Martin Guptill was sent back to the pavilion for a golden duck by Fazalhaq Farooqi. Abrar Ahmed struck with two wickets inside the first 6 overs, dismissing Jason Roy (5) and Will Smeed (17) as Gladiators lost 3 wickets inside the powerplay. 

Mohammad Hafeez and captain Sarfaraz Ahmed etched a partnership of 69 runs for the 4th wicket as Quetta eyed a comeback in the game. However, Fazalhaq Farooqi, playing his first game of PSL 8, struck in the 11th over to remove Mohammad Hafeez on 48 runs. Sarfaraz Ahmed was dismissed 5 overs later for 31 runs by his counterpart Shadab Khan. 

As the two batters fell, Quetta lost their way against Islamabad bowlers firing in and eventually were bowled out for 157 runs in 19.1 overs, 64 runs shy of the target. For Islamabad, Hasan Ali & Fazalhaq grabbed three wickets each while Abrar and Shadab Khan managed 2 wickets each. Gladiators have conceded their 4th defeat in 5 matches in PSL 8. 

In the first innings, Explosive wicket-keeper batter Azam Khan played a fabulous knock which powered Islamabad United to 220/6 against Quetta Gladiators in the 13th match of Pakistan Super League 2023. 

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who smacked a fifty in his first match, followed it up with a quiet outing, scoring just 8 runs off 8 balls. His opening partner Colin Munro scored 38 runs off 22 balls before Aimal Khan cleaned him up.

Rassie van der Dussen (1) was also dismissed cheaply but Azam Khan and Asif Ali then held the crease, adding 98 runs for the 5th wicket. Asif was dismissed by Naseem Shah after scoring 42 runs in 24 balls with a four & 4 sixes. 

Azam Khan went on smacking at the other end, finishing with a score of 97 runs in 42 balls with 9 fours & 8 sixes before getting dismissed on the last ball of the innings. Faheem Ashraf also contributed with an unbeaten 6-ball-17 run knock. For Quetta Gladiators, Mohammad Hasnain picked up 2 wickets while Naseem Shah, Aimal Khan and Odean Smith managed 1 wicket each. 

Earlier, Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan won the toss & opted to bat first against Quetta Gladiators in the 13th match of PSL 8. This match was played at National Stadium, Karachi. 

Click here for QUE vs ISL Full Score Card here