HBL PSL 8: Islamabad United set huge target of 221 runs for Gladiators

Karachi: Islamabad United on Friday set a huge target of 221 runs for Quetta Gladiators in clash at National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi.

The batters of Islamabad United, especially Azam Khan surprised the cricket fans by three sixes. He played aggressively and pushed his side to an imaginable position, though, he was bowled on the last ball of the first inning. 

Earlier,  United won the toss and opted to bat first against Quetta Gladiators at National Bank Cricket Arena. It is the 13th match of Pakistan Super League which is being played in Karachi. 

?TOSS UPDATE?@isbunited elected to bat.

Follow ball-by-ball updates: https://t.co/qHl4wMoFNr#SabSitarayHumaray l #HBLPSL8 l #QGvIU pic.twitter.com/YrZb915AsP

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 24, 2023

A day earlier, Islamabad coasted to their target inside 15 overs, with Asif Ali, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rassie van der Dussen starring. The Gladiators have the likes of Mohammad Hasnain and Naseem Shah but need some more support from those around them. Islamabad also seem to have a better-rounded bowling attack, making them slight favourites for tonight.

Squads:

Quetta Gladiators XI: Jason Roy, Will Smeed, Martin Guptill, Sarfaraz Ahmed (c & wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Odean Smith, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Nawaz, Aimal Khan, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain

Islamabad United XI: Colin Munro, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rassie van der Dussen, Shadab Khan (c), Azam Khan (wk), Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Mubasir Khan, Hassan Ali, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abrar Ahmed