Hasan Nawaz’s lucky 64 seals thrilling win for Gladiators over United

Hasan Nawaz (64 not out) emerged as the unlikely hero after playing a stunning knock to help Quetta Gladiators defeat Islamabad United by two wickets in a thrilling HBL PSL X match at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday night.

Chasing a tricky 158, Gladiators needed 15 runs from the final over bowled by Mohammad Shahzad. Hasan, who was dropped three times in the last over, struck a couple of massive sixes, including the match-winning blow off the second-last delivery, to seal a dramatic win for Quetta.

The victory, Gladiators’ fifth of the tournament, pushed them to the top of the table with 11 points from eight games, displacing United.

Hasan’s unbeaten 64 came off 41 balls, including four fours and two sixes.

Gladiators had a shaky start to their chase. Skipper Saud Shakeel fell for seven and was caught sharply at a point by Mohammad Shahzad. In the next over, Finn Allen (20 off 13) was brilliantly caught by Jason Holder after hitting one six and two fours, leaving Quetta at 28-2.

Rilee Rossouw and Hasan Nawaz then rebuilt the innings with a steady 72-run stand for the third wicket. But a major mix-up led to Rossouw’s run-out for 27 off 24 balls, which included four boundaries. Hasan sent him back mid-run and a direct throw caught Rossouw just short despite a full-length dive.

In the next over, Mohammad Nawaz removed Mark Chapman for two, reducing Quetta to 84-4 in the 11th over.

The wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. Jason Holder dismissed Haseebullah (7), Agha Salman sent back Faheem Ashraf (6), and Salman Irshad removed Kyle Jamieson (3), leaving Gladiators struggling at 117-7 in the 16th over.

With 21 required from the final two overs, Naseem Shah conceded just six runs and dismissed Mohammad Wasim Jr., who scored a brisk 16 off 11 balls with two fours.

However, Hasan Nawaz kept his composure and carried his side over the finish line.

For United, Naseem Shah and Salman Irshad took two wickets each.

Earlier, Mohammad Nawaz’s valuable 34-ball 49 helped Islamabad United post a competitive total of 157-9.

Nawaz walked in when United were 77-4 in the 10th over and held the innings together amid regular dismissals. He struck five sixes and one four in his innings.

After being invited to bat first by Quetta skipper Saud Shakeel, United got off to a flying start. Openers Sahibzada Farhan (39) and Kyle Mayers (22) put on 58 runs in just 30 balls. Spinner Abrar Ahmed broke the stand by bowling Mayers immediately after he smashed him for a six. Mayers hit three fours and a six in his 17-ball knock.

That dismissal triggered a collapse. Faheem Ashraf, introduced in the ninth over, removed Colin Munro (9) and Agha Salman (0) in the same over.

In the next over, Saud Shakeel clean-bowled the dangerous Farhan with a low, straight delivery. Farhan had smashed four sixes and two fours in his quickfire 24-ball 39.

After Farhan’s exit, Nawaz took charge and guided United to a respectable total with powerful hitting.

Haider Ali, batting at No. 8, struck one six in his eight-ball 10. Jason Holder added an unbeaten 14 off 11 balls, with two fours.

Faheem Ashraf had another excellent outing, taking 4-25 in three overs. He first dismissed Munro and Salman, then returned to remove Andries Gous (8) and Mohammad Shahzad (0), leaving United reeling at 91-6.

Kyle Jamieson, Khurram Shahzad, Abrar Ahmed, and Saud Shakeel each took one wicket. Khurram impressed early on by extracting pace and bounce thanks to the grass on the pitch.

United scored 59-1 in the powerplay and added 58 runs in the final five overs.