PSL 2019: Shane Watson and Sohail Tanvir on fire for Quetta Gladiators v Islamabad United

Waseem Ahmed 19:04 17/02/2019
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  • Shane Watson hit an unbeaten 81. Image: PSL/Twitter.

    Defending champions Islamabad United sank to their second defeat in as many days as Quetta Gladiators registered a clinical seven-wicket win in the Pakistan Super League in Dubai on Sunday.

    Quetta left-arm pacer Sohail Tanvir broke Islamabad’s back in the opening over of the match – taking two wickets without conceding a run – to restrict the defending champions to just 157-8. He finished with 4-21 as pace bowlers continued to rule the roost in Dubai.

    Opening batsman Shane Watson extended his super form in T20 cricket by cracking an unbeaten 81 off just 55 balls with six fours and four sixes. With the Aussie in charge, and Umar Akmal (44) giving him company, the target didn’t trouble the Gladiators as they reached 161-3 in 18.2 overs.

    Earlier, Tanvir bowled a brilliant first over, getting the prized scalps of Islamabad United opener Luke Ronchi off the first ball of the match and the promoted Shadab Khan for a duck with a sensational return catch to end up with a double wicket maiden.

    While the left-arm seamer did the early damage, it was leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed who really turned on the screws in the middle overs. Mixing his leggies and googlies smartly, Ahmed had Cameron Delport in all kinds of trouble and finally had him out for 19. The Pakistan-born Australian leggie castled the dangerous looking Hussain Talat for 30 and added the scalp of Faheem Ashraf to finish with figures of 3-15.

    In the chase, Quetta got off to a poor start with Ahmed Shehzad failing once again. But Australian veteran Watson took charge alongwith Umar to add 62 runs for the third wicket.

    Umar in particular has looked in explosive form. He followed up his unbeaten 75 against Peshawar Zalmi with a 28-ball 44 against Islamabad on Sunday.

    Watson had a slice of fortune as he reached 50 with a dropped caught and bowled chance by Islamabad leggie Delport.

    In fact, Delport outbowled the star leg-spinner of the Islamabad team – Shadab Khan. Vice-captain Shadab went for 38 runs in his four overs and failed to pick up a wicket.

    On a day that was dominated by leg-spinners, Shadab’s returns were difficult to digest.

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