Lahore, April 16 – Quetta Gladiators clawed their way to the top of the Pakistan Super League table last night, edging out Islamabad United in a match that had fans gripping their seats until the final ball. The hero of the hour was Hasan Nawaz, whose unbeaten 64 off 41 deliveries turned a faltering chase into a triumph, sealing a two-wicket win that felt more like a heist.
Chasing 158, Quetta’s innings wobbled early, crumbling to 73 for 5 as United’s bowlers smelled blood. But Nawaz, cool as a winter morning, stitched together a gritty stand with Faheem Ashraf, who chipped in a vital 22. The pair dragged their side back from the brink, though the tension spiked in the final over when United’s fielders botched three catches—each miss a dagger to their hopes. Nawaz, handed a lifeline, didn’t blink. He smashed a six over fine leg off the second-last ball, sparking roars from the Gaddafi Stadium crowd.
United, reeling from their third straight defeat, posted 157 for 7 earlier, leaning on a steady 45 from Colin Munro and a late flurry from Azam Khan. Quetta’s bowlers, led by Mohammad Hasnain’s 3 for 29, kept things tight, setting up a chase that looked gettable but turned into a high-wire act.
Nawaz’s knock—laced with five fours and three sixes—was the difference, his composure under pressure earning Quetta their fifth win in seven matches. The victory nudged them ahead of Multan Sultans on net run rate, cementing their perch at the top with 10 points.
Islamabad, now languishing in fifth with two wins from six, face a steep climb to make the playoffs. Their fielding lapses, especially in the clutch, proved costly, and captain Shadab Khan didn’t mince words post-match, calling the drops “unacceptable at this level.”
Quetta’s next test comes against Peshawar Zalmi on April 18, while United aim to halt their slide against Lahore Qalandars the same day. For now, Nawaz’s heroics have lit up the PSL, and Gladiators are riding high.