LAHORE: A comprehensive team effort with both bat and ball saw Quetta Gladiators edge past defending champions Islamabad United by 20 runs in a gripping Qualifier 1 clash of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10 at the Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday, thus securing their place in the final for the first time in six years.
Islamabad United, however, are still in the running for a spot in the final. They will face the winners of the Eliminator 1 fixture between arch-rivals Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings, scheduled for Thursday.
Chasing a stiff target of 210, United were bowled out for 179 in 19.4 overs.
Their run chase got off to a poor start as Alex Hales, the standout performer from their previous match, was dismissed for a duck in the second over, with just eight runs on the board.
Rana Jee heroics 😲
Neesham walks back. #HBLPSLX | #ApnaXHai | #QGvIU pic.twitter.com/WRZIgH3Rjy— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) May 21, 2025
Rassie van der Dussen then partnered in-form Sahibzada Farhan in a steadying 71-run stand for the second wicket before falling to Mohammad Wasim Jr in the ninth over. Van der Dussen scored 35 off 23 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes.
Farhan’s dismissal
Farhan shared a brief 22-run partnership with Salman Ali Agha before he was dismissed by Usman Tariq in the 11th over. He top-scored for United with a 52 off 35 balls, featuring eight fours and a six.
His departure triggered a middle-order collapse, with United losing three quick wickets to slump to 150 for 6 by the end of the 16th over.
Clever change of pace from Amir, and Faheem finishes it off with a beauty! ✨ #HBLPSLX | #ApnaXHai | #QGvIU pic.twitter.com/FnNduMqIjO
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) May 21, 2025
A critical moment came in the 18th over when Usman Tariq struck twice, removing the well-set Salman Ali Agha and Naseem Shah in consecutive deliveries. Agha scored a valiant 44 from 26 balls, including three fours and two sixes.
Veteran pacer Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Wasim Jr then cleaned up the lower order, guiding the Gladiators to a long-awaited place in the PSL final.
Usman Tariq was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3 for 32 in his four overs. Amir, Faheem Ashraf, and Wasim Jr took two wickets each, while Abrar Ahmed chipped in with one.
Huge total
Earlier, after electing to bat first, the Gladiators posted a formidable total of 209 for 6 in their 20 overs.
Their innings began unsteadily as skipper Saud Shakeel fell to Ben Dwarshuis in the second over with just 14 on the board.
Rilee Rossouw then joined Finn Allen at the crease, and the duo added a stabilising 44-run partnership for the second wicket before Rossouw was dismissed by Dwarshuis for 16 off eight balls, including two fours and a six.
Hasan Nawaz departed cheaply during the powerplay, managing just six.
Ashraf was eventually dismissed on the penultimate ball of the innings by Salman Irshad after scoring a rapid 45 off 23 balls, with four fours and three sixes. Chandimal remained unbeaten on 48 from 28 deliveries, also hitting four boundaries.
