DUBAI: Shane Watson led the Quetta Gladiators to victory with an 81-run knock against Islamabad United in the sixth match of the 2019 Pakistan Super League (PSL) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
The Gladiators beat United by seven wickets after the latter set a 158-run target.
Alongside Watson’s 81 runs off 55 balls Umar Akmal also put 44 runs on the scoreboard for Quetta.
Watson once again showed how dangerous he can be by hitting six boundaries and four sixes.
Islamabad United while batting first lost wickets at regular intervals in the start as Sohail Tanvir was at his best taking two early wickets in the first over. Luke Ronchi and vice-captain of United Shadab Khan went off without getting off the mark.
Mohammad Nawaz then got his man Rizwan Hussain with a sharp spun delivery at the off stump to put United under immense pressure. Hussain made five runs in his second match of the PSL so far.
Tanvir then took a blinder off Fawad Ahmed, who finished with the figures of 3-15, to further reduce the opponents to 58-4.
Wayne Parnell down the order fought hard by scoring 41 off 20 balls which took Islamabad United to 157-8. Parnell struck seven boundaries and a six to contribute worthy for his team.
Earlier, along with Asif Ali, he played a couple of big hits to release the wicket falling pressure from his compatriot who was dealing well with the opponents from the other hand.
Ali blasted his way to scoring 36 runs off 27 balls including two boundaries and as many sixes. He gave his wicket to Sohail Tanvir with Mohammad Nawaz taking a good catch.
In reply, Quetta Gladiators started off with Watson and Ahmed Shahzad. After losing early wicket of Shahzad, Gladiators felt a bit pressure but the way Watson played took all the clouds away from his team.
He along with Umar Akmal (44) put 62 runs or the fourth wicket. They both rescued their team after they lost two early wickets in the match.
Left-arm pacer Rumman Raees picked up his first wicket striking Rilee Rossouw who made just 10 runs before getting out.
Samit Patel, Rumman Raees and Cameron Delport took one wicket each for United.
