Islamabad United thump Quetta Gladiators in PSL playoff

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad United defeated Quetta Gladiators by 39 runs in the first eliminator of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9th edition at the National Stadium in Karachi on Friday.
Islamabad won the toss and chose to bat first in the game, with Martin Guptill playing a 56-run knock from 47 deliveries.
Salman Ali Agha and Shadab Khan added 31 and 23 runs respectively to take Islamabad to 174/9. In return, Quetta were all out for 135 runs.
“Islamabad United clinch the first Eliminator by 39 runs,” PSL commented on X after the match.
Mohammad Amir and Akeal Hosein claimed two wickets each, while Saud Shakeel dismissed one Islamabad batter.
Chasing a 175-run target, Omair Yousuf hit a brilliant half century from 37 deliveries, but it was not enough.
Hosein and Amir scored 31 and 23 runs as Quetta crashed at 135 in the 19th over.
For Islamabad, left-arm spinner Imad Wasim claimed 3-12, pacer Naseem Shah dismissed two and Obed McCoy took one wicket.
Two-time former champion Islamabad will face off Peshawar Zalmi in the second eliminator on Saturday.
The winner will progress into Monday’s final against Multan Sultans.