Quetta thrash Islamabad to reach HBL PSL final for the fourth time

Quetta Gladiators delivered a commanding all-round performance to defeat defending champions Islamabad United by 30 runs in the Qualifier, securing a spot in the final of the HBL PSL X at Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.

This marks the fourth time the Gladiators have reached the HBL PSL final.

All-rounder Faheem Ashraf played a pivotal role in the win, contributing with both bat and ball. Dinesh Chandimal (48 not out), Faheem Ashraf (45), and Finn Allen (41) helped Quetta post a competitive total of 209-6 after opting to bat first.

Quetta’s bowlers then restricted United to 179 in 19.2 overs. Spinner Usman Tariq took 3-32, while Faheem Ashraf (2-33), Mohammad Amir (2-31), and Mohammad Wasim Jr. (2-38) also made vital breakthroughs.

United’s chase started poorly, with Faheem dismissing opener Alex Hales for a duck. Sahibzada Farhan and Rassie van der Dussen rebuilt the innings, adding 71 runs off 45 balls for the second wicket. Wasim Jr. broke the stand, removing Rassie for 35 off 23 balls, which included four fours and two sixes.

Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals as Quetta tightened its grip. Farhan top-scored with 52 off 45 balls, reaching his third fifty of the season in 33 balls. His knock included eight fours and a six.

Salman Ali Agha fought hard in the middle overs, scoring a brisk 44 off 26 balls, with three sixes and two fours. But he fell at a critical time, and United fell short of the target.

Earlier, Chandimal and Faheem’s 95-run partnership for the sixth wicket laid the foundation for Quetta’s big total. Chandimal, a late addition to the squad, hit four fours and three sixes in his 29-ball knock. He smashed James Neesham for a six and two fours in the 18th over and earlier launched two sixes off Shadab Khan in the 14th over, both overs yielding 16 runs.

Faheem blasted three sixes and four fours in his 45 off just 23 balls before falling to Salman Irshad. He also took on Naseem Shah in the 19th over, smashing a six and two fours for 17 runs.

Finn Allen provided a strong start with 41 off 27 balls, hitting seven boundaries. He dominated Naseem Shah in the third over, hitting four fours for 18 runs. After the early dismissal of skipper Saud Shakeel (12), Allen shared a 44-run stand with Rilee Rossouw (16 off 8) and later added 42 runs with Avishka Fernando (32 off 21), who was trapped lbw by Shadab Khan. Avishka hit two fours and a six.

Gladiators scored 70 in the powerplay, 98-3 at 10 overs, and 142-5 after 15. They added 67 runs in the final five overs.

Ben Dwarshuis (2-31) and Salman Irshad (2-34) were the top wicket-takers for United. Naseem Shah had a tough outing, conceding 50 runs in four overs. Imad Wasim (1-36) and Shadab Khan (1-19) took one wicket each.

On Thursday, Lahore Qalandars will face Karachi Kings in the first eliminator at the same venue. The winner will meet Islamabad United in the second eliminator on Friday.