Peterson helps Quetta to easy win against United
Quetta Gladiators easily routed Islamabad United in the second phase of ongoing third edition of PSL at Sharjah cricket stadium.
The second phase of PSL-3 started after a day break in Sharjah where Gladiators after winning the toss invited United to bat first. Start of Islamabad was not good as they lost 2 wickets on just 25 runs in 5th over. Luke Ronchi and new comer South African JP Duminy contributed 41 runs for the 3rd wicket as Duminy departed on 14 runs.
Islamabad capitalized after the power play overs but lost the momentum as 5 of their batsmen were back in the dugout on 99 runs as skipper Misbah departed in the 16th over. Faheem Ashraf along last match hero Hussain Tallat leaked some runs and contributed 29 runs together but a disciplined bowling performance from Quetta Gladiators restricted United to post a big total as United managed to score 134 for the loss of 7 wickets in 20 overs.
Luke Ronchi 43, Misbah ul haq 22 and Faheem Ashraf 21 remained top scorers for Islamabad while Anwar Ali, Rahat Ali, Hasan Khan, John Hastings and Shane Watson all picked up 1 wicket each.
Gladiators required 135 to with an asking rate of 6.75 runs per over which they easily achieved in 17.1 overs for the loss of 4 wickets and won the match by 6 wickets courtesy a belligerent innings of veteran former English batsman Kevin Pietersen.
Gladiators started aggressively as the openers scored 31 in 3.3 overs and later in the innings, Peterson and Mohammad Nawaz made it easy for Quetta to win the match. Pietersen scored 48 of 34 balls with 4 fours and 3 maximums while Mohammad Nawaz 25 and Asid Shafiq 22 were other top scorers.
Steven Finn picked up 3 and Mohammad Sami got 1 wicket for Islamabad united. After winning the match, Gladiators moved to second spot on points table while Islamabad landed on 5th place.
The only match tonight will be played between Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi at Sharjah cricket stadium at 9:00 PM.
Match Summary:
| Toss: | Quetta Gladiators , elected to field first |
| Man of the Match | Kevin Pietersen (Quetta Gladiators) |
| ISLAMABAD UNITED 134/7 (20 OVERS) | |
| Luke Ronci 48 (34) | Hasan Khan 1/12 (2) |
| Misbah ul Haq 22(25) | Anwar Ali 1/13 (2) |
| QUETTA GLADIATORS 135/4 (17.1 OVERS) | |
| Kevin Pietersen 48(34) | Steven Finn 3/35 (4) |
| Mohammad Nawaz 25(31) | Mohammad Sami 1/22 (4) |
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