Shadab, Sameer guide United to first win of HBL PSL 2026

Shadab Khan’s brilliant all-round performance guided Islamabad United to their first win of the HBL PSL 2026 as they defeated Quetta Gladiators by eight wickets at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Chasing a target of 184, United comfortably reached the total in the 19th over, thanks to a match-winning 128-run partnership between Sameer Minhas and skipper Shadab Khan. Sameer scored an unbeaten 83, while Shadab remained not out on 69 and earlier claimed three wickets with the ball.

United began the chase confidently as openers Devon Conway and Sameer Minhas gave the side a steady start, adding 40 runs for the first wicket. Abrar Ahmed provided the breakthrough by dismissing Conway for 18 off 19 balls, which included two fours and a six.

Abrar struck again shortly after, removing Andries Gous for two off four deliveries to leave United at 61-2 in 6.5 overs.

After the early setbacks, Sameer and Shadab stabilised the innings with a crucial partnership, taking the total past the 100-run mark and putting their side in control of the chase.

The pair then accelerated the scoring, putting the Gladiators’ bowlers under pressure with regular boundaries. Their stand crossed the 100-run mark as United moved past 150 in the 16th over.

In the end, Islamabad United sealed the victory with Sameer Minhas unbeaten on 83 off 48 balls, striking eight fours and three sixes, while Shadab Khan made a valuable 69 not out from 39 deliveries, including five fours and four sixes.

Quetta's innings

Electing to bat first, the Gladiators posted a competitive 183-5 in 20 overs, courtesy of Hasan Nawaz’s unbeaten 66 off 36 balls, while captain Saud Shakeel made a useful contribution of 42 runs from 26 deliveries.

The Gladiators made a strong start as Shakeel and Shamyl Hussain put together a 50-run opening stand inside five overs, attacking the United bowlers with regular boundaries.

The partnership ended when Salman Irshad dismissed Shamyl for 21 off 15 balls, which included one four and two sixes.

Shakeel then partnered with Khawaja Nafay, but Shadab Khan provided the breakthrough by removing the skipper, reducing Quetta to 71-2 in 8.1 overs.

Nafay was later dismissed by Imad Wasim for 18, while Shadab struck twice in the 12th over, removing Ben McDermott (3) and Bevon Jacobs (0) to leave the Gladiators at 93-5.

At that stage, Hasan Nawaz and Tom Curran rebuilt the innings with a crucial partnership, taking the team past the 100-run mark while keeping the scoreboard moving.

The momentum shifted in the 16th over when Nawaz smashed 21 runs off Imad Wasim, helping Quetta gain a late surge. The pair added a 50-run stand and accelerated in the closing overs.

Nawaz struck six fours and three sixes, while Curran supported well with 29 off 22 balls, including two fours and a six.

For Islamabad United, Shadab Khan was the pick of the bowlers with 3/23 in four overs, while Imad Wasim and Salman Irshad claimed one wicket each.