Islamabad United vs Quetta Gladiators Eliminator 1 Highlights
Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators played the first Eliminator match of HBL PSL 9 on 15 March 2024. It seemed like Quetta would have ended up at the top spots of the points table. However, fate wanted something else. Now, the Gladiators have to win this “do or die” match. At the same time, the United seem pretty good in this season. So, how will everything play out?
Keep in mind that whoever loses this match will get knocked out of the tournament. While the winner will have to play another must-win match against the Zalmis.
We are constantly updating the article. Kindly have patience
Match details
| NATIONAL BANK STADIUM, KARACHI | |
| Match | Islamabad United vs Quetta Gladiators |
| Date | 15 March 2024 |
| Time | 9:00 PM |
| Match number | 32 |
| Stage | Eliminator 1 |
| Umpires | Ahsan Raza |
| Chris Gaffaney | |
| TV Umpire | Asif Yaqoob |
| Reserve Umpire | Rashid Riaz |
| Match Referee | Mohammad Javed |
Toss
Islamabad United won the toss and chose to bat first.
Playing 11
| Islamabad United | Quetta Gladiators |
|---|---|
| Alex Hales | Jason Roy |
| Martin Guptill | Saud Shakeel |
| Agha Salman | Rilee Rossouw (c) |
| Shadab Khan (c) | Omair Yousuf |
| Azam Khan (w) | Laurie Evans (w) |
| Haider Ali | Khawaja Nafay |
| Imad Wasim | Akeal Hosein |
| Faheem Ashraf | Mohammad Wasim Jr |
| Naseem Shah | Mohammad Amir |
| Hunain Shah | Abrar Ahmed |
| Obed McCoy | Usman Tariq |
Islamabad United
| Islamabad United 174-9 (20 overs) | |
| BATTING | BOWLING |
| Martin Guptill 56 (47) | Mohammad Amir 2-20 |
| Agha Salman 31 (21) | Akeal Hosein 2-34 |
| Shadab Khan 23 (13) | Abrar Ahmed 1-32 |
| TARGET | 175 RUNS in 20 overs |
- Things weren’t good for Islamabad United since their star batsman, Colin Munro wasn’t available due to an injury
- However, this is where Martin Guptil comes into play. To be honest, it was surprising since Guptil didn’t make an entry to the United earlier. He is someone who took the mantle when it mattered the most and came out victorious. Ironically, he did this against the Gladiators, the team he was representing before.
- Apart from Guptil, no other batsman stayed more on the pitch. Players like Agha Salman and Shadab had short stints. But their swift strokeplay made it possible for the United to reach 174 runs.
- Martin Guptill’s 56 runs made it possible for the United to put up a total that is somewhat decent against the strong bowling lineup of Quetta Gladiators.
- Mohammad Amir and Akeal were the talk of the town for the Gladiators. They took two wickets, containing the ISLU batters.
- It was different to see Abrar and Wasim, former United boys, bowl against their team and get thrashed.
- Well, 175 it is. Will Russouw and Co be able to chase this target down?
Quetta Gladiators
| Quetta Gladiators 135-10 (18.4 overs) | |
| BATTING | BOWLING |
| Omair Yousuf 50 (37) | Imad Wasim 3-12 |
| Akeal Hosein 31 (18) | Naseem Shah 2-33 |
| Mohammad Amir 23 (14) | Obed McCoy 1-13 |
| RESULT | Islamabad won by 39 runs |
- Quetta never had a chance to begin with. The way Imad Wasim and Naseem Shah took them to the cleaners made it clear that ISLU wasn’t going to give them any room to breathe. What a bowling spell it was!
- Imad Wasim is the reason why the United has progressed to the next stage of the knockout stages. His 3 wickets in the powerplay and tight bowling didn’t let the Gladiators have even the slightest of chances to chase this target.
- Omair Yousuf was the only one who showed some intent of chasing the target. He along with Mohammad Amir tried to re-do what Ajmal and Amir did back in 2009.
- At some point, it seemed like Quetta would get closer to the target. But the Islamabad bowlers didn’t let that happen.
- Naseem Shah took the important wicket of Omair, ending any hopes Quetta might have.
- Obed McCoy was another bowler who remained in the shadows but did a great deal in containing the opposition.
- Rilee Russouw and Viv Richards look disappointed.
Man of the match
Imad Wasim has to be the man of the match today. What a bowling performance it was from him. He showed why he is at the top echelons of the Islamabad United! ISLU will require more of this in the following matches.
What is going to happen next?
Now that Islamabad United has won this match, they have progressed further in the knockouts. Now, they will have to play the second Eliminator match of the series against the Zalmis. ARE YOU READY TO SEE WHO WILL FACE OFF AGAINST MULTAN SULTANS?
