Islamabad United delivered a dominant performance against RawalPindiz in the ongoing PSL 11, securing a convincing seven wicket victory at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. The match was highlighted by a brilliant batting display from Sameer Minhas, who played a match winning knock.
Chasing a target of 157 runs, Islamabad United comfortably reached the total with 34 balls remaining, losing only three wickets. Leading from the front, Sameer Minhas smashed 70 runs off just 36 balls, including seven fours and three sixes, setting the tone for an easy chase.
He received solid support from Mohammad Faiq, who added 19 runs, while the middle order pair of Haider Ali and Mark Chapman remained unbeaten, scoring 26 and 24 runs respectively to guide the team home.
Earlier in the match, RawalPindiz struggled to build momentum and posted a total of 156 for 7 in 20 overs. Their innings got off to a poor start as Islamabad’s bowlers struck early. Richard Gleeson removed both openers, including captain Mohammad Rizwan, within the first four overs, leaving the team under pressure.
Kamran Ghulam tried to stabilise the innings with a fighting half century. He scored 50 runs off 39 balls and built a useful partnership with Daryl Mitchell, who contributed 19 runs. However, after Ghulam’s dismissal, RawalPindiz lost wickets at regular intervals.
Late contributions from Abdullah Fazal and Dian Forrester helped push the total to a respectable score, but it proved insufficient against Islamabad’s strong batting lineup.
The bowling attack of Islamabad United was equally impressive, with Salman Irshad, Richard Gleeson, and Faheem Ashraf picking up two wickets each. Their disciplined effort restricted RawalPindiz to a manageable target.
This all round performance highlights Islamabad United’s strong form in PSL 11, making them one of the top contenders in the tournament.
