SHARJAH: Kevin Pietersen hammered a brilliant knock to help Quetta Gladiators down Islamabad United by six wickets in the ninth match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at Sharjah Stadium here on Wednesday night. After opting to bowl first, Quetta put an outstanding show in the field and restricted their opposition to just 134 for the loss of seven wickets despite some terrific top-order hitting from Luke Ronchi, whose 26-ball 43 accounted for a bulk of the runs. After his dismissal, however, Misbahul Haq and JP Duminy, both playing their first games of the season, managed 36 off 51 balls between them. That Islamabad crossed 130 was courtesy a late charge from Faheem Ashraf. For Quetta, Anwar Ali, Rahat Ali, John Hastings, Hasan Khan and Shane Watson claimed a wicket each.
In reply, Quetta secured the victory inside 18 overs at the expense of just four wickets. The star of the show Pietersen scored a brilliant 48 off 34 with the help of four fours and three sixes. He was well supported by all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz, who scored an unbeaten 25 off 31. The PSL has seen a few close low-scoring games, and without Pietersen’s cavalier self-confidence, this could easily have turned into one of them. After surviving several early jitters, he found himself in good touch and immediately set his mind to putting the game out of Islamabad’s reach while he was finding the middle of the bat. No bowler was safe from his onslaught with Shadab Khan and Faheem Ashraf coming in for particular punishment. By the time he sliced one off Steven Finn, the required rate was around 3.5, and the outcome of the game was academic. For Islamabad, English pacer Steven Finn was the most successful bowler, as he claimed three wickets. For his outstanding batting performance, Pietersen was named player of the match.
Slim crowds taking shine off PSL: Meanwhile, the PSL is in full swing and the matches have been competitive so far but the crowd’s attendance in all the games has been low throughout the first quarter of the league despite the hype it has managed to generate back home. Pakistanis alone constitute almost 12.5 percent of the UAE’s population and yet there are hardly a few people in the stadium. Logistical problems have also been highlighted by many fans alike. The PSL management has failed to provide a shuttle service for the fans who are coming from far flung areas. While the ticket prices aren’t too much and the matches at Sharjah should register a better turnout because of its low seating capacity and location, the empty seats at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium should serve the PCB a bitter reminder that the PSL needs to be fully brought back to Pakistan.
Brief scores: Quetta Gladiators 135 for 4 (Kevin Pietersen 48, Mohammad Nawaz 25 not out) beat Islamabad United 134 for 7 (Luke Ronchi 43, Misbahul Haq 22, Rahat Ali 1-18) by six wickets
Today’s matches (Friday March 2)
11th Match — Multan Sultans v Karachi Kings at Sharjah Cricket Stadium at 04:30 PM PST
12th Match – Lahore Qalandars v Islamabad United at Sharjah Cricket Stadium at 09:00 PM PST
Published in Daily Times, March 2nd 2018.