Sameer Minhas and Shadab Khan powered Islamabad United past Quetta Gladiators by eight wickets in the ninth match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on Thursday.
United chased down Gladiators’ 184-run target with two wickets down in the 19th over, courtesy of a match-winning knock from emerging batter Sameer Minhas and a vital contribution by skipper Shadab Khan.
The side got off to a strong start as openers Devon Conway and Sameer Minhas piled on runs early, laying a solid foundation for the chase.
However, the 40-run opening stand was broken when Abrar Ahmed dismissed Conway for 18 off 19 deliveries, including two fours and a six. Abrar struck again shortly after, removing Andries Gous for two off four balls, reducing United to 61-2 in 6.5 overs.
Sameer and Shadab then steadied the innings, forging a crucial 50-run partnership to take the total past the 100-run mark and put their side in a commanding position.
The young opener remained in sublime form, bringing up his maiden PSL half-century. Shadab also stayed in fine touch, leading from the front and guiding the team towards the target with his ninth PSL fifty.
Shadab struck back-to-back boundaries against the opposition bowlers, piling pressure on them as the match slipped away, guiding Islamabad’s total past the 150-run mark in the 16th over and raising a 100-run stand alongside Minhas.
In the end, Islamabad United chased down the target with Sameer Minhas unbeaten, top-scoring with 83 off 48 balls, including eight fours and three sixes, while Shadab Khan played a brilliant 68 off 38 deliveries, hitting five fours and four sixes. In another match, Karachi Kings extended their winning streak, beating Pindiz by 5 wickets, at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on Thursday.