Quetta Gladiators Survive Thriller to Topple Islamabad United
The lights at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium were barely enough to contain the tension in Match 23 of the HBL PSL 2025 as Quetta Gladiators narrowly defeated Islamabad United by two wickets in a match packed with twists, stumbles, and heroic moments. This wasn’t your average T20 run-chase—this was the kind of match that keeps fans glued to their seats until the final over.
Islamabad United came out to bat with high hopes but quickly found themselves in trouble. Key wickets fell in quick succession, taking the steam out of their innings. After the early loss of Kyle Mayers, pressure mounted further when the aggressive Colin Munro and dependable Salman Agha followed him back in the space of three balls during the eighth over. Suddenly, Islamabad were 54 for 3 and the momentum was slipping fast.
In the face of this collapse, Muhammad Nawaz stepped up and played a gritty knock, holding the middle order together and scoring a fighting 49. Sahibzada Farhan made 39 at the top, but the rest of the lineup failed to kick on. Quetta’s bowlers kept a tight leash, building pressure with dot balls and well-placed deliveries. The wickets kept tumbling, and Islamabad’s total stuttered to 157 for 9 after 20 overs—below par on this surface but still defendable with the right approach.
Hasan Ali Stars as Quetta Hold Nerve
The chase for Quetta wasn’t smooth sailing by any means. Islamabad’s Fahim Ashraf immediately put the pressure on, grabbing 4 wickets for just 25 runs with some clever bowling and sharp field settings. Early wickets tumbled and, as the run rate started to rise, the momentum looked like it could swing back United’s way. Naseem Shah and Irshad also chipped in, both picking up two wickets to keep the contest on a knife-edge.
Then came the turning point. Hasan Ali, usually celebrated for his bowling rather than batting, showed he can handle the pressure with bat in hand. He calmly kept the scoreboard ticking while wickets fell around him. Quetta’s top and middle order struggled to find fluency, resulting in 59 dot balls in the innings—a number that would haunt United as it showed just how difficult it was to rotate the strike and build partnerships.
But Hasan Ali refused to panic. He picked his moments, pounced on every loose ball, and when the pressure peaked in the final overs, dug in to remain unbeaten on 64. His knock anchored the chase and turned what looked like a possible stumble into a clinical finish at 159 for 8. The crowd erupted in relief and joy as the Gladiators crossed the finish line with just two wickets to spare.
This win does more than add points to Quetta’s tally—it pushes them ahead of Islamabad United on the table and intensifies the scramble for a playoff spot. Every run, every misfield, and certainly every dot ball will matter even more as the league heads now into its crucial final stretch. For now, Hasan Ali and the Gladiators can revel in a win that was as hard-fought as any you'll see in this season’s PSL 2025 drama.