Faheem, Chandimal power Gladiators to 209 against United in HBL PSL X qualifier

Faheem Ashraf and Dinesh Chandimal’s late-overs onslaught helped Quetta Gladiators post a strong total of 209 for 6 against the defending champions Islamabad United in the qualifier of the tenth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) on Wednesday in Lahore.

The Gladiators didn’t have an ideal start as captain Saud Shakeel was dismissed early after scoring 12 off 8 balls, caught behind off Ben Dwarshuis.

Soon, Rilee Rossouw joined Finn Allen, and the pair hammered 44 runs off just 19 balls, taking the total to 58. However, Dwarshuis came to United’s rescue by taking the crucial wicket of Rossouw.

Hasan Nawaz, who is regarded as one of the finds of the season for his outstanding batting displays, fell early after scoring six off four deliveries.

With three batsmen back in the dugout within the powerplay, Allen was joined by Sri Lankan Avishka Fernando, and together they steadied the ship with a 43-run partnership. But just when the Gladiators looked set to cruise, they suffered a double blow as both settled batsmen were dismissed, scoring 41 and 32 respectively.

With half the side already dismissed,, Islamabad were eager to wrap up proceedings with quick wickets, but Faheem Ashraf and his Sri Lankan teammate Dinesh Chandimal had other ideas. The duo put together a 95-run partnership off just 48 balls, thrashing United bowlers—especially Naseem Shah, who conceded 50 runs in his four overs.

Dinesh Chandimal remained unbeaten on 48 from 28 balls, smashing 4 fours and 3 sixes, well supported by Faheem Ashraf at the other end with a blazing 45 off just 23 balls, including 4 fours and 3 sixes, before being caught off Salman Irshad in the penultimate over as Gladiators posted 209/6 in 20 overs.

Ben Dwarshuis and Salman Irshad were the pick of the bowlers, each picking up 2 wickets, while Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan chipped in with a wicket apiece.

The winner of the match will qualify directly for the final, while the losing team will get another chance by facing the winner of this week’s eliminator.

Quetta Gladiators: Saud Shakeel (Captain), Finn Allen, Hasan Nawaz, +Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Rilee Rossouw, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Wasim, Usman Tariq, Abrar Ahmed.

Islamabad United: Shadan Khan (Captain), Sahibzada Farhan, Alex Hales, Rassie van der Dussen, Salman Agha, James Neesham, Ben Dwarshuis, Imad Wasim, +Ghazi Ghori, Salman Irshad, Naseem Shah.

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