Clinical United tame Gladiators to secure top spot

By Our Correspondent

March 17, 2018

SHARJAH: Islamabad United on Thursday night confirmed their top spot in the group stage of HBL Pakistan Super League with a commanding victory against chief rivals Quetta Gladiators here at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Capitalising on the momentum, Islamabad gave yet another clinical performance as they first restricted Quetta to 147 and then comfortably sailed to their sixth consecutive victory in the competition.

Experienced spinner Samit Patel, yet again, took an early wicket, while Faheem Ashraf’s three scalps struck bruising body blows to Quetta’s middle order. Mohammad Sami’s PSL rejuvenation continued, while Amad Butt and Hussain Talat also chipped in. Quetta’s resistance only came in the form of their captain Sarfraz Ahmed, who scored a 30-ball 43, but since none of his team-mates managed to get past 28, they could only manage 147.

It didn’t quite seem enough on that Sharjah pitch, and particularly not against Islamabad. Quetta gave themselves a sniff when Rahat Ali cleaned up the dangerous Luke Ronchi in the second over, but his opening partner JP Duminy rose to the occasion, commanding the chase with a composed half-century. Every batsman that was called upon made a contribution with Quetta’s bowlers failing to penetrate with the frequency and potency they needed to defend a small target.

The bowling performance Islamabad put up was impressive, The Powerplay overs were disciplined, miserly even, and just when Quetta had to accelerate, the bowlers came up with a wicket.

Quetta’s foreign players at the top were all kept quiet or removed early; Jason Roy, Kevin Pietersen, Shane Watson and Rilee Rossow made only 48 runs off 49 balls. It was down to no Islamabad bowler giving away free runs; even Shadab Khan, the only bowler who failed to take a wicket, was frugal.

With the situation in the group stage still replete with uncertainty, it didn’t quite dawn on many that this could be the last game in Kevin Pietersen’s career. The former England batsmen may not make the trip to Pakistan, where most of the remainder of the tournament will be played.

The only way he still gets to don the Quetta jersey is if they finish in the top two and qualify for the first playoff, in Dubai. He has struggled in this year’s tournament, with 153 runs in eight games, only twice getting past 21.

Islamabad secure top spot with a game still to play; they are on 14 points with 7 wins from nine games. Quetta are still second, but could slip depending on results from Friday’s two games. —with inputs from agencies

Quetta Gladiators won toss

Quetta Gladiators

J J Roy b Amad 17

S R Watson c Hales b Patel 8

Umar Amin c Hales b Amad 28

K P Pietersen c Ronchi b Faheem 7

*†Sarfraz Ahmed b Hussain 43

R R Rossouw not out 16

Anwar Ali c Duminy b Faheem 2

M Nawaz(3) c Duminy b Faheem 1

Hasan Khan not out 15

Extras (lb 6, nb 1, w 3) 10’