Hasan Nawaz’s Heroics Lead Quetta Gladiators to Thrilling Victory

LAHORE, Pakistan — Quetta Gladiators secured a thrilling win against Islamabad United on Saturday night at Gaddafi Stadium, thanks to a stellar performance from 22-year-old Hasan Nawaz. The Gladiators needed 15 runs off the final over to clinch the match, and Nawaz rose to the occasion.

Medium-pacer Mohammad Shahzad was tasked with bowling the last over. Nawaz appeared fortunate when Shahzad dropped a catch off a short ball, allowing him a second chance. Then, captain Salman Ali Agha missed a slip catch, and the Gladiators turned it into a two-run gain. Nawaz capitalized on the opportunity and hit a six over long-off before sealing the win with another six over backward square leg on the penultimate ball, finishing with an impressive 64 not out off 41 balls.

The Gladiators, chasing a target of 158, found themselves in a tricky situation early in the game, losing both their openers within the first four overs. Captain Saud Shakeel was dismissed for seven runs, and Finn Allen contributed 20 runs before falling prey to pacer Naseem Shah. The team had slumped to 28-2 before one-down batter Rilee Rossouw, who made 27 runs, and Nawaz rallied with a critical partnership.

Despite losing Rossouw to a run-out, Nawaz’s explosive hitting helped the Gladiators reach the 100-run mark. However, they faced another collapse, falling to 117-7 after three quick wickets. A notable cameo from Mohammad Wasim helped the team gain momentum and secured the victory with just a wicket remaining, pushing them to the top of the league table with 11 points from eight games.

Islamabad United had batted first, setting a score of 157-9. Sahibzada Farhan and Kyle Mayers led the charge with a brisk opening partnership of 58 runs. Farhan was particularly aggressive, hitting crucial boundaries before being dismissed for 39 runs. However, the United team suffered a batting collapse, with Faheem Ashraf taking four wickets and helping to limit their score.

Quetta Gladiators’ successful chase highlighted the excitement and unpredictability of cricket as they overcame distractions and pressure to emerge victorious. This game exemplifies the thrill of the sport, showcasing the talent of players like Hasan Nawaz, whose performance will be remembered by fans.