Islamabad – Quetta Gladiators delivered a commanding performance in Match 26 of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10, crushing Islamabad United by a massive 109 runs at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. The result marked the Gladiators’ most emphatic win of the tournament so far and highlighted their growing dominance as the league progresses.
Batting first after losing the toss, Quetta Gladiators posted a record-breaking total of 263/3 in their allotted 20 overs — the highest in PSL history. Their innings was anchored by two sensational centuries: Rilee Rossouw smashed a blistering 104 off 46 balls, while young sensation Hasan Nawaz remained unbeaten on 100 from just 45 deliveries. The duo shared a game-changing 134-run stand for the second wicket that demoralized Islamabad’s bowling attack.
Rossouw’s innings was studded with 20 boundaries, including six massive sixes. Nawaz played the perfect finisher’s role, hitting nine fours and four sixes in his unbeaten knock. The pair’s explosive batting powered the Gladiators into an unassailable position. Additional support came from Mark Chapman, who added a quick-fire 13* in a 69-run partnership with Nawaz for the fourth wicket.
Islamabad United’s decision to bowl first backfired spectacularly. Their bowlers, including Imad Wasim and Naseem Shah, struggled to contain the onslaught and managed just one wicket each.
In response, Islamabad’s batting lineup collapsed under pressure, managing only 154 in 19.3 overs. Mohammad Amir set the tone early, removing both openers in the first over. Wickets continued to tumble as Islamabad crumbled to 68/8 inside nine overs. Only Imad Wasim, with a gritty 56, offered resistance, alongside Ben Dwarshuis (31), who added a late 55-run stand for the ninth wicket.
For the Gladiators, Amir led the bowling with figures of 2/6, while Wasim Jr and Abrar Ahmed also claimed two wickets each. Skipper Saud Shakeel, Khurram Shahzad, and Faheem Ashraf chipped in with one wicket apiece, completing a clinical bowling display.
This victory further solidifies Quetta Gladiators’ position in the PSL standings and extends Islamabad’s losing streak to four matches. With this crushing defeat, Islamabad United will need to reassess both their batting and bowling strategies heading into the final stages of the tournament.