Quetta clinch thrilling last-over victory against Islamabad

LAHORE: In a dramatic encounter at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Quetta Gladiators secured a sensational two-wicket victory over Islamabad United in the 23rd match of PSL 2025, surging to the top of the points table.

The match, decided in the final over with Hasan Nawaz emerging as the unlikely hero, showcased T20 cricket at its unpredictable best, with three dropped catches in the last over ultimately costing Islamabad dearly.

Chasing 158 for victory, Quetta snatched the win from the jaws of defeat getting 159 for eight in 19.5 overs.

Islamabad United posted a below-par 157 for nine after being asked to bat first by Quetta Gladiators. Despite promising starts from Sahibzada Farhan and a fighting knock from Mohammad Nawaz, Quetta’s Faheem Ashraf stole the show with a devastating spell of 4-25 that dismantled the United middle order.

The United innings began with promise as opener Sahibzada Farhan looked in sublime touch, smashing four sixes and two boundaries in his quickfire 39 off just 24 deliveries. He formed a solid opening partnership with Kyle Mayers, who contributed 22 from 17 balls including three fours and a six.

The openers put on 58 runs in just 5.4 overs before Mayers fell, triggering a dramatic collapse that saw United lose three wickets for just 12 runs. Colin Munro (9) and Salman Ali Agha (dismissed for a duck) departed in quick succession, followed by the well-set Farhan, leaving Islamabad reeling at 77-4 by the 10th over. The pressure mounted further as Andries Gous (8) and Muhammad Shahzad (0) failed to provide resistance, falling in successive deliveries in the 13th over with the scoreboard reading a precarious 91-6.

Mohammad Nawaz emerged as the innings’ savior, displaying remarkable resilience and power-hitting ability. His 49 off 34 balls, featuring five towering sixes and a four, provided much-needed impetus to the flagging innings. He found limited support from Haider Ali (10) before forming a crucial partnership with Jason Holder, who remained unbeaten on 14. Nawaz’s counter-attacking knock ended in the final over when he was dismissed just one run short of a well-deserved fifty, as Islamabad finished at 157-9 from their allocated 20 overs.

For Quetta Gladiators, Faheem Ashraf was the standout bowler with exceptional figures of 4-25, consistently hitting good lengths and varying his pace effectively. He received able support from Kyle Jamieson, Khurram Shahzad, and Abrar Ahmed, who each claimed a wicket, while part-timer Saud Shakeel chipped in with a valuable wicket as well.

Chasing 158 for victory, Quetta Gladiators’ innings was anchored by a match-winning 48 from Hasan Nawaz, whose heroics in the final over transformed what looked like a tense finish into a memorable victory. The chase began cautiously with Saud Shakeel departing early for just 7 runs, but Finn Allen provided early momentum with a brisk 20 off 13 deliveries, including two boundaries and a six.

Rilee Rossouw steadied the innings with a composed 27 off 24 balls, striking four boundaries before falling to Islamabad’s disciplined bowling attack. The responsibility then fell to Hasan Nawaz, who played with remarkable composure for his 48 off 36 balls, peppered with three boundaries and two crucial sixes. His partnerships proved vital as wickets fell around him, with Mark Chapman (2), Haseebullah Khan (7), Faheem Ashraf (6), and Kyle Jamieson (3) all failing to make significant contributions.

Mohammad Wasim Jr provided valuable support with 16 runs off 11 balls as the match headed into a tense final over with Quetta needing 15 runs. What followed was pure T20 drama as Mohammad Shahzad’s over became the stuff of nightmares for Islamabad United. Hasan Nawaz was dropped an incredible three times on the first two deliveries, while took two runs on the second ball, before capitalizing on his fortune by smashing a towering six on the third ball. The drama continued as he was dropped yet again on the fourth delivery while scrambling for two runs. With 5 needed off 2 balls, Nawaz sealed Quetta’s victory with another massive six off the penultimate delivery, completing one of the most extraordinary finishes in PSL history.

Islamabad’s bowling effort was led by Naseem Shah and Salman Irshad, both claiming 2-31, while Jason Holder (1-40), Mohammad Nawaz (1-20), and Salman Agha (1-16) contributed with a wicket each. However, their efforts were undone by catastrophic fielding in the crucial final over. This victory propels Quetta Gladiators to the top of the PSL 2025 standings with 11 points from eight games, while Islamabad United slip to second place with 10 points. The defeat marks Islamabad’s third consecutive loss after an impressive run of five successive victories in the first leg of the tournament. Lahore Qalandars now sits third with nine points but enjoy a better run rate, while Karachi Kings occupy the fourth position with eight points.