Fakhar Zaman took Lahore Qalandars over the line with 56 off 36 balls.

By Abdullah Ansari (16th February, 2017)

Islamabad United Squad

Dwayne Smith, Sam Billings, Brad Haddin, Misbah-ul-Haq*, Shane Watson, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Zohaib Khan, Mohammad Sami, Rumman Raees, Mohammad Irfan.

Quetta Gladiators Squad

Asad Shafiq, Ahmed Shehzad, Kevin Pietersen, Rilee Rossouw, Sarfraz Ahmed*, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mohammad Nawaz, Thisara Perera, Anwar Ali, Hassan Khan, Umar Gul.

Misbah won the toss and opted to bowl first as he looked to preserve his 100% PSL record when winning the toss. Quetta started well via Shehzad as he hit four boundaries in the first three overs including a big six off Sami but the pacer had the last laugh as the opener was caught at mid-on. Sami made in 2 in 2 as KP was trapped LBW first ball while Rossouw struggled for the first time in the tournament and was eventually out to Watson for 7. Sarfraz looked to attack but perished soon in the attempt while Shafiq wasn't able to up the ante despite making 45 as he was dismissed by Watson. Perera and Mahmudullah finished decently as Quetta got 46 off the last 5 overs to finish with 148/5.

Islamabad's chase started with Billings playing some shots but Smith faced a huge struggle to get going, eventually getting out to Nawaz for just 10 off 16 balls. Haddin also fell to the spinner in his next over while Hasan Khan got Misbah LBW as Billings looked to form a partnership. Watson turned out to be the man who would provide him with support. With the required run-rate 9.5 off the last 8 overs, the two batsmen went after the Quetta bowlers with the pacers proving to be easier to hit than the spinners. Watson brought the equation in Islamabad's favour with a big over off Perera despite getting out to the pacer but Billings batted through, finishing on 78* off 50 as Islamabad won with 5 balls to spare.

Next match: Karachi Kings vs Lahore Qalandars

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