The commentary is not available for this match. Please check the scorecard for latest updates.
That brings us to the end of our coverage for another PSL clash. Lots of cricketing action lined up today right from the India-England Test to the New Zealand-Australia ODI. The second season of WPL also starts tomorrow besides one more PSL game. A jam packed day coming up for all the cricket fans but for now this is me (Arya Sekhar Chakraborty) biding adieu also on behalf of my fellow commentator and good mate Rajarshi Das. Goodnight! Cheers!
Rilee Rossouw is the Player of the Match, here is what he has to say: Yeah I think a win is a win. Not particularly happy with how I batted out there but in the end getting over the line is important. It's very difficult to read the pitch. We thought it would be a batting paradise but at the halfway stage we knew it won't be easy. Really enjoying leading the boys. Everyone is in a good space, in a good bubble. We spoke to our batters that we need to play proper cricketing shots to get it done.
Quetta Gladiators won by 3 wickets (with 10 deliveries to spare)
Jason Roy 37(18) | Abrar Ahmed 3/18(4) Agha Salman 33(23) | Shadab Khan 2/24(4)
The Quetta Gladiators made heavy work of the below target of 139 but in the end, they managed to chase down the target with 3 wickets in hand and 10 deliveries to spare. Jason Roy and Rilee Rossouw proved to be protagonists for the victory. While Roy blazed his way to a quickfire 37, Rossouw took his time and stayed there till the end to see his side over the finish line.
It was Roy and Saud Shakeel who opened the batting for the Gladiators. Roy got off to a flying start, smashing back-to-back boundaries of Naseem Shah to get things underway. Naseem made a good comeback in his next over and trapped Shakeel right in front of the stumps. Khawaja Nafay was the next man in and he looked a bit scratchy all through his 9-ball stay.
He was eventually castled by Rumman Raees off his first delivery. Jason Roy also departed soon after as Hunain Shah started his PSL career with a bang. Sarfaraz Ahmed came out to stabilize the innings but was trapped right in front of the stumps as Quetta was reduced to 54/4 at one stage. The required rate wasn't much; they only needed a partnership to take the game deep.
It was provided by the pair of Sherfane Rutherford and Rilee Rossouw. Rutherford in particular came out with a positive intent and smashed a couple of sixes during his knock of 29 off 23 deliveries. Rossouw didn't try to do anything fancy and took the game deep. However, there was a bit of a stutter in the middle with the wickets of Rutherford and Akeal Hosein. Mohammad Hasnain Jr played a horrendous shot to give his wicket away before Mohammad Amir struck a couple of important boundaries to see their side over the finish line.
Shadab Khan (Islamabad United captain): I think there was a problem with technology. I think they showed a different ball. I think these things need to get sorted out in such a big tournament like this. We were 10-15 runs short. If we had played smart cricket, it would have been a different ball game. In both games we have come out with a brilliant bowling effort. We have to play smart cricket when it comes to batting. Definitely, all three Shahs are absolutely brilliant. Haven't seen so many talent in a single family. The game changed after Hunain's wicket. He fielded brilliantly as well. We were positive in both games. We have been short by 10-15 runs which we need to work on a bit.
Jason Roy, Quetta Gladiators: We bowled incredibly well to keep them to that total, and then when we went out there, we had to keep it simple. Lost a few wickets, but Rilee kept it together there. I'd like to get my scores bigger and finish it off as well, two starts - you like to make them bigger and contribute more, Very happy with the start to the tournament. It was slightly nice with the new ball, as it got older it died on the wicket. Simple message among the batting order - bat with freedom and express yourself. We're keeping it nice and simple, and trying to entertain. Lovely atmosphere in the camp - Shane Watson is our coach, he's working towards keeping a nice environment, relationship off the field is fantastic. So far so good, we're going to keep our heads up and head to the next game.
Brilliant batting by Mohammad Amir. He struck two crucial boundaries to see his side over the finish line. Akeal Hosein smashed a massive six to ease the nerves and then Amir came and blazed away to a couple of important fours. A relatively easy win in the end but at one stage, things looks very tough. They kept losing wickets at regular intervals but all's well that ends well and it has certainly ended well for the Quetta Gladiators. First time in four years, the Quetta Gladiators have won three matches in a row.
18.2 Rumman Raees to Mohammad Amir, game, set and match! Back of a length with a hint of length, Amir makes room and slashes this one towards sweeper cover. He and Rossouw cross over for the winning run - Quetta Gladiators get there with 10 balls and 3 wickets to spare!
18.1 Rumman Raees to Mohammad Amir, FOUR! The scores are level, and Amir lets out a roar of delight already! Full, lots of width on offer, Amir throws his hands at it, slices it over backward point, and the ball crawls to the ropes
Rumman Raees is back into the attack.
That's the 18th over done and dusted and the Quetta Gladiators just need 5 more runs to win from 12 deliveries. Amir keeping strike for the penultimate over. He has done a good job so far. Can he finish it off for his side?
18
overs
134/7score
W
1
1
0
4
1
runs
Mohammad Amir*
6(4)
Rilee Rossouw
34(38)
Shadab Khan
2/24
17.6 Shadab Khan to Mohammad Amir, on a length outside off, Amir rocks back and punches this one to the right of the man at mid wicket. The fielder ends up deflecting it towards mid on, allowing the batters in crossing over
Such an important boundary from the blade of Mohammad Amir. He showed all three stumps and powers it away past the deep cover fielder.
17.5 Shadab Khan to Mohammad Amir, FOUR! Cut away! On a length on leg stump, Amir made a lot of room, cut this one past the gap at cover and found the boundary! Brave shot under pressure!
17.4 Shadab Khan to Mohammad Amir, beaten! This was the slider - on a length on off stump. Amir pranced forward, but played down the wrong line
17.3 Shadab Khan to Rilee Rossouw, full, on middle stump, Rossouw pushes this one down to long off for a run
17.2 Shadab Khan to Mohammad Amir, full, fired in on off, Amir pushes this one towards cover and crosses over
Mohammad Amir, LHB is the new man in.
Another one bites the dust and all of a sudden, the Islamabad United can feel a way back into the game. A poor shot in the context of the game and especially with the required rate.
17.1 Shadab Khan to Mohammad Wasim Jr, BOWLS HIM! The Gladiators are shooting themselves on their own foot! Shadab goes full on off stump, giving the ball a bit of loop. Wasim moved across his stumps, had a wild, ill-advised slog at it, the ball sneaked through and clattered onto the fibre!
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Mohammad Amir
*
Shadab Khan
Video
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Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
