- May 22, 2025
Quetta Gladiators delivered a clinical performance to book their place in the PSL final, overpowering Islamabad United by 30 runs in a thrilling Qualifier at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on May 21. A formidable all-round display, led by Faheem Ashraf’s heroics with both bat and ball, saw Quetta post an imposing 209/6 before restricting United to 179 in 19.4 overs.
Batting first, Quetta capitalized on a solid platform despite early setbacks. Captain Saud Shakeel perished early, caught by Naseem Shah off Ben Dwarshuis for 12, but the momentum was maintained by the explosive Finn Allen, who stroked 41 off 27 balls with seven boundaries. His dismissal at the halfway mark—part of a double-strike by United—briefly halted the momentum, but it was short-lived.
The innings regained impetus through Dinesh Chandimal and Faheem Ashraf. Chandimal anchored the middle order with a fluent unbeaten 48 off 28 balls, combining grace and power with four boundaries and three sixes. At the other end, Faheem Ashraf played a game-changing cameo, smashing 45 from just 23 deliveries, including four fours and three sixes. His calculated assault in the death overs catapulted Quetta past the 200-run mark, putting pressure squarely on United’s batting.
Ben Dwarshuis (2-31) and Salman Irshad (2-34) were the most effective bowlers for Islamabad, while captain Shadab Khan’s lone over fetched a key wicket, albeit at a cost.
Chasing a daunting 210 for victory, Islamabad had a nightmarish start as Alex Hales was castled by Faheem Ashraf for a duck in the second over. Sahibzada Farhan, on the other hand, maintained his impressive run of form, scoring a quick 52 off 35 balls with eight boundaries and a six. He stitched a vital 71-run stand with Rassie van der Dussen (35 off 23), reviving United’s hopes briefly.
But the chase unraveled quickly after Farhan’s departure in the 11th over. United lost wickets at regular intervals, never really threatening to scale the mountain. Salman Ali Agha provided a flicker of hope with a powerful 44 off 26, but his departure in the 18th over sealed Islamabad’s fate. None of the lower order managed to produce the kind of innings required to challenge the total.
Usman Tariq, the surprise package, was the pick of Quetta’s bowlers, finishing with impressive figures of 4-0-32-3, while Mohammad Amir (2-31) and Mohammad Wasim Jr (2-38) struck at crucial intervals. Faheem Ashraf rightfully won Player of the Match after completing his all-around mastery with a score of 2-33.
This comprehensive performance marked Quetta’s season’s best showing and underlined their title ambitions. Despite their recent dominant form, Islamabad United was left to rue their middle-order collapse and inconsistent bowling in the death overs. They now move to the Eliminator 2 for another shot at reaching the final, while the Gladiators await their challenger in the summit clash.
With form, confidence, and momentum firmly on their side, Quetta Gladiators look primed to end their long wait for a second PSL title.
Quetta Gladiators vs Islamabad United Scoreboard
Quetta Gladiators – 209/6 (20.0)
Islamabad United – 179/10 (19.4)
Result – Quetta Gladiators won by 30 runs
Player of the match – Faheem Ashraf
Faheem Ashraf
QG vs IU Playing XIs
Quetta Gladiators | Saud Shakeel (c), Finn Allen, Rilee Rossouw, Hasan Nawaz, Avishka Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Usman Tariq, Abrar Ahmed |
Islamabad United | Shadab Khan (c), Sahibzada Farhan, Alex Hales, Rassie van der Dussen, Salman Agha, James Neesham, Imad Wasim, Ben Dwarshuis, Naseem Shah, Ghazi Ghori, Salman Irshad |
Disclaimer: These Match highlights reflect the author’s insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the points discussed and form their own conclusions.
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