Rilee Rossouw and Hasan Nawaz hammered blistering centuries, while Quetta Gladiators’ bowlers combined forces to seal a commanding 109-run victory over defending champions Islamabad United in the 26th match of PSL 10 on Wednesday at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
After choosing to bat first, Quetta piled up a massive 263/3 in 20 overs — the highest-ever total in Pakistan Super League history. The innings was powered by a stunning 134-run partnership between Rossouw and Nawaz, who unleashed relentless power hitting.
Quetta had a shaky start, with openers Saud Shakeel and Finn Allen managing only 24 runs before Allen was run out for 5 in the third over. Shakeel added a quick 36 runs alongside Rossouw before falling to Naseem Shah in the final over of the powerplay, finishing with 23 off 18 balls (three boundaries).
From there, Rossouw and Nawaz completely took charge. Rossouw led the assault with a dazzling 104 off just 46 balls, smashing 20 boundaries, including six sixes. He was eventually dismissed by Imad Wasim in the 16th over as Quetta neared the 200-run mark.
Hasan Nawaz batted through to the end, remaining unbeaten on a brilliant 100 off 45 balls, peppered with nine fours and four sixes. After Rossouw’s dismissal, Nawaz built a crucial 69-run stand with Mark Chapman, who contributed an unbeaten 13 off eight balls.
Islamabad’s bowlers had little success, with only Imad Wasim and Naseem Shah managing a wicket each.
Chasing a daunting 264, Islamabad United’s batting lineup crumbled under the pressure, bowled out for 154 in 19.3 overs.
Their chase got off to a nightmare start as veteran pacer Mohammad Amir struck twice in the opening over, removing Kyle Mayers for a duck and Sahibzada Farhan for just one.
Mohammad Shahzad tried to counter with a brisk 24 off 13 balls (three boundaries, one six), forming brief partnerships with stand-in skipper Salman Ali Agha (6) and Mohammad Nawaz (10 off 4). But Islamabad kept losing wickets quickly — Shahzad fell to Mohammad Wasim Jr in the fourth over, and Nawaz was sent back by Khurram Shahzad soon after.
By the ninth over, United were in deep trouble at 68/8. The only meaningful resistance came from all-rounder Imad Wasim, who fought back with a valiant 56 off 41 balls (five fours, two sixes). He put together a 55-run partnership with Ben Dwarshuis (31 off 24, one four, two sixes) to delay the inevitable. Imad was eventually dismissed by Mohammad Wasim Jr in the final over.
On the bowling front, Mohammad Amir starred with a remarkable 3/6 in two overs, while Mohammad Wasim Jr and Abrar Ahmed claimed two wickets each. Faheem Ashraf, Khurram Shahzad, and captain Saud Shakeel chipped in with a wicket apiece.
Quetta Gladiators Playing XI: Saud Shakeel (C), Abrar Ahmed, Hassan Nawaz, Mohammad Amir, Mark Chapman, Rilee Rossouw, Kusal Mendis (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jr, Faheem Ashraf, Khurram Shahzad, Finn Allen
Islamabad United Playing XI: Salman Ali Agha (C), Kyle Mayers, Sahibzada Farhan, Haider Ali, Azam Khan (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Jason Holder, Ben Dwarshuis, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Shahzad, Naseem Shah
