PSL: Nawaz, Wright star as Quetta hammer Islamabad on opening day

Published February 5, 2016
Quetta need 129 runs to win in 20 overs. The Gladiators have the services of flamboyant English batsman Kevin Pietersen and his compatriot Luke Wright. —Screengrab
Quetta need 129 runs to win in 20 overs. The Gladiators have the services of flamboyant English batsman Kevin Pietersen and his compatriot Luke Wright. —Screengrab

Mohammad Nawaz picked up 4-13 and Wright smashed 86 off 53 balls as Quetta Gladiators beat Islamabad United by eight wickets in a low-scoring opening encounter of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

An explosive knock of 35 off 20 balls from United's Andre Russell drove the capital's franchise to a first innings total of 128 runs as the Gladiators threatened to run away with the game after winning the toss and bowling first.

United lost six wickets for just 64 runs, with 21-year-old left-arm spinner Nawaz doing the majority of the damage.

The Pakistan Test captain, Misbah-ul-Haq, who is also leading Islamabad, came to the crease and was doing the repair work immediately after his side lost Babar Azam and Imran Khalid in quick succession. But it wasn't until he was joined by West Indian all-rounder.

The pick of the bowlers from Quetta was left-arm spinner Nawaz who took four wickets conceding just 13 runs in his quota of four overs on a pitch which supported him and other spinners.

Nawaz got the prize wickets of Shane Watson and Sam Billings, castling the batsmen from Australia and England respectively.

Quetta made light work of the total with Wright smashing four sixes and 11 fours in his blistering knock.

The England international remained unbeaten with Nawaz chipping in with 22 as the Gladiators crossed the finish line in just 16 overs.

Opinion

Editorial

Kabul visit
Updated 26 Mar, 2025

Kabul visit

Islamabad should continue to emphasise that presence of terrorists on Afghan soil stands in the way of normal commercial ties.
Drought warning
26 Mar, 2025

Drought warning

DRIVEN by rising temperatures linked to climate change, increasing drought events across Pakistan have affected tens...
Deadly roads
26 Mar, 2025

Deadly roads

DESPITE daytime restrictions on heavy vehicles, Karachi continues to witness one horrific traffic accident after...
Shortcut tactics
Updated 25 Mar, 2025

Shortcut tactics

IMF’s decision to veto move to reduce retail power tariffs seems to be against interests of middle-class consumers.
Unforced error
Updated 25 Mar, 2025

Unforced error

State must not push ordinary citizens away with its excesses when dealing with Balochistan.
Losing again
25 Mar, 2025

Losing again

WHEN Pakistan’s high-risk Twenty20 approach did not work, there was no fallback plan and they collapsed in a heap...