PSL 2026: Unbeaten Sameer shines with 82, team win Gladiators vs United clash by eight wickets

WEB DESK: Sameer Minhas shined with 82 after his side gained an eight-wicket win over Gladiators in the Quetta Gladiators vs Islamabad United match today.

Chasing 183 of the Islamabad United, the Islamabad United were able to chase the total in 18.2, as the 82 quickfire of Sameer Minhas also featured 8 fours and 3 sixes.

The team opened their side while the chasing the Gladiator’s total made with five wickets by sending Devon Conway and Sameer in the beginning. Both the players settled the pressured that they gained during their fielding in the first innings. The top-notch batters though couldn’t stay till last in their opening partnership Conway was able to manage 18 off 19 balls. Conway’s 18 also featured 2 fours and 1 six before being sent.

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The next player who stepped in was Andries Gous. He aimed at supporting the front liner at the crease but the 183-run defenders still had a grip on the ball, crushing him after just a 2-run jerk.

The team were anguished, seeing the key players downed from them in early overs of the chase.

The Islamabad United Skipper Shadab Khan came in to with guaranteed determination. He took big risks, judging his bat from all angles to ensure the team regain the top level energy ahead of the key matches in PSL.

His featured 69 came up with 39 bowls, clearing the game ahead in 18.2 overs. With this, the team gained the second victory in the PSL 2026 matches being played till this date.

Earlier, Quetta Gladiators posted a competitive total of 183-5 in 20 overs. The innings was led by captain Saud Shakeel, who played a brisk knock of 42 runs off 26 balls, showcasing his aggressive intent. He received support from Shamyl Hussain, who scored 15 runs from 12 deliveries, keeping the scoreboard ticking.

Khawaja Nafay contributed 18 runs off 14 balls, while Hassan Nawaz played a quick cameo of 36 runs off just 6 balls, adding some fireworks toward the end. Veteran Ben McDermott managed 6 runs from 6 balls before being dismissed, and Bevon Jacobs couldn’t get going, ending scoreless. Tom Curran remained not out on 29 runs off 22 balls, helping Quetta reach a competitive total.

Extras added 4 runs, rounding off the Gladiators’ score at 183-5 in 20 overs.

MS, KAR lead early PSL 2026 standings

Meanwhile, The 2026 Pakistan Super League (PSL) is off to an exciting start, with MS and KAR topping the points table after two matches each. Both teams have won their opening two games, but MS leads on net run rate (+0.868) over KAR (+0.524), making them early favorites in the tournament.

PES and ISL sit in third and fourth positions with three points each, showing mixed results in their first few outings. ISL has played three matches so far, winning one, losing one, and drawing one, indicating a slightly inconsistent start.

The mid-table features LAH and QG, each with two points. While LAH boasts a strong net run rate (+1.567) despite one win and one loss, QG has struggled to maintain consistency with one win and two losses.

At the bottom, RAP and HYK are yet to find their rhythm. RAP, having played just one game, already has a negative net run rate (-0.674) without a win, while HYK has endured a tough start with three consecutive losses and a -2.077 net run rate.

With the tournament still in its early stages, fans are keeping a close eye on whether the top teams can maintain their form or if mid-table challengers will shake up the standings in the coming weeks.