Quetta Gladiators advance to final with commanding win over Islamabad

LAHORE: Quetta Gladiators have secured their place in Sunday’s grand final of PSL 2025 with a convincing 30-run victory over Islamabad United in the first Qualifier at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore Wednesday night.

Quetta Gladiators having posted 209 for 6 allowed Islamabad United gather 179 for all in 19.4 overs.

With this victory, Quetta Gladiators have directly qualified for Sunday’s grand final of PSL 2025. Islamabad United will now take on the winner of today’s Eliminator between Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings in Qualifier-2, which will be played on Friday. The winner of that match will face Quetta Gladiators in the final.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Quetta Gladiators posted an imposing total, thanks to a game-changing 95-run partnership between Dinesh Chandimal and Faheem Ashraf.

The Gladiators’ decision to bat first appeared questionable when opener Saud Shakeel departed early for 12 off 8 balls (two boundaries) in the second over with the score at 14. His dismissal brought the explosive Rilee Rossouw to join Finn Allen at the crease.

The Allen-Rossouw combination proved fruitful as they launched a calculated assault on the Islamabad bowling attack. Their partnership yielded 44 crucial runs, with Allen looking particularly fluent. Rossouw’s brief but impactful stay produced 16 runs from just 7 deliveries (two fours, one six) before he departed in the fifth over with the scoreboard reading 58.

Hasan Nawaz failed to make a significant impact, contributing just 6 runs before being dismissed with the score at 68. However, Avishka Fernando joined Allen to steady the innings, constructing a valuable 43-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Allen’s innings of 41 from 27 balls (seven boundaries) provided a solid platform before he fell in the 11th over with the score at 111.

Fernando’s dismissal shortly after for a well-compiled 32 off 21 balls (two fours, one six) left the Gladiators at a precarious 113/5, with their momentum seemingly stalled.

With the innings at a crossroads, wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Chandimal was joined by all-rounder Faheem Ashraf, and what followed was a masterclass in calculated aggression. The duo’s sensational 95-run partnership off just 49 balls dramatically shifted momentum in Quetta’s favor.

Chandimal remained unbeaten on 48, his innings decorated with four boundaries and three towering sixes. His ability to find gaps and manipulate the field showcased his experience and class.

Faheem Ashraf’s explosive batting was equally impressive as he hammered 45 off merely 22 deliveries (four boundaries, three sixes). His power-hitting in the death overs provided the perfect finishing touch before falling on the penultimate ball of the innings with the score at 208.

Mohammad Wasim Jr. remained unbeaten without facing a ball as the Gladiators finished with an imposing 209/6.

Ben Dwarshuis and Salman Irshad were the pick of the Islamabad bowlers, each claiming two wickets for 31 and 34 runs respectively. Imad Wasim claimed one wicket but conceded 36 runs, while Shadab Khan was relatively economical with figures of 1/19.

Chasing an imposing target of 210, Islamabad United were eventually bowled out for 179 in 19.4 overs, falling 30 runs short of the target.