Islamabad United scored 174/9 in 20 overs, where as Quetta Gladiators scored 135 in 18.4 overs.
So, finally Islamabad United beat Quetta Gladiators by 39 runs.
Imad Wasim played a starring role with the ball as Islamabad United advanced one step closer to the PSL 2024 final by defeating Quetta Gladiators in the first eliminator.
Now, Islamabad is set to face Peshawar Zalmi in the second eliminator on Saturday (March 16), with the winner earning a spot in the summit clash against Multan Sultans.
Mohammad Amir provided a promising start for Quetta with the ball, but Martin Guptill’s hat-trick of boundaries in the second over quickly nullified his efforts.
Despite Alex Hales hitting two sixes off Abrar Ahmed, Akeal Hosein kept the pressure on, eventually dismissing Hales.
Guptill and Agha Salman then embarked on a boundary spree, putting Islamabad in a commanding position at the halfway mark.
Although Salman was dismissed, Shadab Khan’s cameo and Azam Khan’s aggressive batting provided Islamabad with a competitive total of 174, despite Guptill’s fifty.
This proved to be more than enough as Imad Wasim dominated the powerplay.
Imad, the left-arm spinner, struck early in the chase, removing Shakeel for a duck and then claiming Jason Roy’s wicket two balls later.
With Imad’s skillful variations exploiting the spin-friendly surface, Quetta lost three wickets in three overs, including Rilee Rossouw’s dismissal.
Imad concluded a brilliant spell in the powerplay with another wicket, followed by a run out that further rattled the batting side.
With Quetta struggling at 16/5, their chances of recovery were slim.
Despite Omair Yousuf’s half-century and contributions from Hosein and Amir, Quetta fell short comfortably in the end, unable to recover from the early blows inflicted during the powerplay.
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