Pindiz secure maiden PSL 11 win in Islamabad United vs Rawalpindiz

KARACHI: Islamabad United become the first unlucky team to gain defeat at the hands of the maiden winners Rawalpindiz today, as Pindiz ensured a commanding performance at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on Thursday.

Chasing 138, Pindiz reached the target in the 19th over as a solid finishing effort from skipper Mohammad Rizwan and Kamran Ghulam did play the best to ensure the victory.

During the chase, the top batters saw the innings in a poor start as opener Abdullah Fazal was dismissed on the very first ball of the match for a duck.

Ghulam and Rizwan, who were the next to face the Isl Untied bowlers, steadied the innings with a composed partnership. Both the batters eased the pressure as runs flowed freely. Their partnership at the crease crossed the 50-run mark and ensuyred a help of taking the team past the half-century total.

However, the 78-run stand was broken when Chris Green struck to dismiss Kamran Ghulam, who had played a fine innings of 42 off 30 deliveries, hitting five fours and a six.

Pindiz were further set back at 92-3 in 12.5 overs when Shadab Khan removed Rizwan, who had fought well for his 45 off 38 balls, including five fours and a six.

The pressure kept mounting as sharp fielding from Shadab Khan led to Sam Billings being run out at the non-striker’s end for just two runs.

Daryl Mitchell and Dian Forrester then steadied Rawalpindi’s chase and guided them to victory. Mitchell remained unbeaten on 32 off 25 balls, striking two fours and a six, while Forrester added 13 runs to complete the win.

Earlier, Islamabad United posted a modest total of 138 for 8 against Pindiz after being put in to bat at the National Stadium Karachi in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Asked to bat first, Islamabad United got off to a shaky start as Sameer Minhas failed to make an impact, scoring just six off 11 balls. His early dismissal put pressure on the top order.

Opener Devon Conway held the innings together with a composed knock of 40 off 33 balls, which included three fours and two sixes. However, he lacked support from the rest of the batting lineup.

The middle order showed some resistance, with Chris Green and Mark Chapman contributing 29 and 23 runs respectively, but neither could convert their starts into big scores.

Islamabad United continued to lose wickets at regular intervals, with Haider Ali scoring six, while Muhammad Hasnain and Richard Gleeson were dismissed for ducks. Faheem Ashraf added 11 runs, and captain Shadab Khan also failed to make a significant contribution.

Pindiz bowlers delivered a disciplined performance, keeping the pressure on throughout the innings. Mohammad Amir, Saad Masood, and Dian Forrester picked up two wickets each, while Naseem Shah, Asif Afridi, and Daryl Mitchell claimed one wicket apiece.

In the end, Islamabad United managed to post 138 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs.