Chris Gayle will be hoping to play a big role with the bat in Sharjah.
Advertisement
Islamabad United will face Lahore Qalandars at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the ninth match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) on Wednesday.
Islamabad had lost first two games against Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi but have bounced back strongly as they have won against Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandars.
Sharjeel Khan scored an unbeaten 79 for the Islamabad United during the chase.
The pitch prepared was an absolute flat-tracker, a batting paradise, and it seemed like it would be a high-scoring contest after Islamabad United chose to field first after winning the toss.
Mohammad Rizwan (50 not out) was the saviour for the Qalandars as he reached his fifty off just 27 deliveries to push the total to 166 for six in the 20 overs.
Only Dwayne Bravo acquitted himself well among the Lahore bowlers, the West Indies allrounder giving away just 28 runs in four overs.
Sharjeel signed off the innings with back-to-back sixes in the 16th over to secure a comfortable eight-wicket win for the Islamabad United.
Ali made 27, Naved Yasin contributed 25, Bravo hit 26 and Qalandars’ hero of their last match Umar Akmal managed only 26 setting the stage for wicket-keeper Rizwan to showcase his talents.
Advertisement
Watson stood up to the responsibility of leading United in the absence of injured Misbah-ul-Haq (calf) to plunder 4 fours and 7 sixes in his 47-ball stay. Ehsan Adil picked up two wickets for the Qalandars.
