Islamabad United’s Victory Propels Them to Eliminator 2 in PSL 9

The Islamabad United have an even more impressive run in the PSL 9, and now they are all set to play in the Eliminator 2 round alike all the other supporters. The confirmation of their prowess and determination were clearly demonstrated in the last Eliminator 1 match, where they crushed the London Gladiators. On this occasion we examine the plans and responsibilities before confronting the Peshawar Zalmi in the upcoming round.

Islamabad United’s Victory Key Takeaways

No.	Key Takeaways
1.	Islamabad United secured victory in the Eliminator 1 match against Quetta Gladiators.
2.	The team’s stellar batting performance led by Martin Guptill and Agha Salman propelled them to a competitive total of 174/9.
3.	Imad Wasim’s outstanding bowling, earning him the Player of the Match title, played a pivotal role in restricting Quetta Gladiators to 135 runs.
4.	Islamabad United’s advancement to Eliminator 2 sets the stage for an exciting showdown with Peshawar Zalmi.
5.	The winner of Eliminator 2 will earn a spot in the final of PSL 9, facing off against Multan Sultans.

Also Read: United vs Gladiators: Clash in Eliminator 1 of PSL 9

United’s Dominance on the Field

Whereas in the thrilling Eliminator 1 fixture in Karachi, the batters of Islamabad United unveiled their command from the start of the game. The United decided to bat first as after winning the toss. Through the course of their batting, United batsmen displayed wonderful form setting a quite high total for Quetta Gladiators which partitioned their opponent.

The explosive innings of 56 runs by Martin Guptill and supported by the contribution of Alex Hales, Agah Salman and Shadab Khan, was the back bone of the United team that posted a serious target for the Mountain team at 174/9 in just 20 overs.

Quetta’s Resilience and United’s Impeccable Bowling

The performance of Quetta Gladiators was impressive particularly the Omair Yousuf’s half-century but in the end, the target proved to be high enough as the bowlers of the opposition, Julian Imad Wasim, did not leave any stone unturned to take one another of between themselves.

Wasim’s standout performance, clearly claimed three vital scalps for just 12 runs which gave him the much-appreciated Player of the Match recognition. United was helped in their win by the exploits of bowlers Naseem Shah, Obed McCoy, and Faheem Ashraf, as a result of which, the 135 total scored by the opposition Quetta Gladiators ended up being a total that was quite easy for United to defend.

Also Read: Multan Sultans Secure Spot in PSL 9 Finals by Defeating Peshawar Zalmi

Islamabad United Innings

Batsman	Runs	Balls	4s	6s	Strike Rate
Martin Guptill	56	47	5	1	119.14
Alex Hales	23	20	1	2	115.00
Agha Salman	31	21	2	1	147.61
Shadab Khan (c)	23	13	1	2	176.92
Azam Khan †	18	6	1	2	300.00
Faheem Ashraf	1	2	0	0	50.00
Haider Ali	1	1	0	0	100.00
Imad Wasim	4	3	0	0	133.33
Naseem Shah	7*	5	0	1	140.00
Hunain Shah	0	1	0	0	0.00
Obed McCoy	0*	1	0	0	0.00

Extras: 10 (4 leg byes, 6 wides)

Total: 174/9 in 20 overs

Fall of Wickets: 1-51 (Alex Hales, 5.4 ov), 2-102 (Agha Salman, 11.3 ov), 3-131 (Shadab Khan, 14.6 ov), 4-155 (Azam Khan, 16.6 ov), 5-158 (Faheem Ashraf, 17.4 ov), 6-159 (Haider Ali, 17.5 ov), 7-165 (Imad Wasim, 18.4 ov), 8-166 (Martin Guptill, 18.6 ov), 9-167 (Hunain Shah, 19.2 ov)

Quetta Gladiators Innings

Batsman	Runs	Balls	4s	6s	Strike Rate
Jason Roy	1	3	0	0	33.33
Saud Shakeel	0	5	0	0	0.00
Omair Yousuf	50	37	4	1	135.13
Rilee Rossouw (c)	5	5	1	0	100.00
Khawaja Nafay	5	10	1	0	50.00
Laurie Evans †	0	1	0	0	0.00
Akeal Hosein	31	18	2	3	172.22
Mohammad Wasim	6	10	0	0	60.00
Mohammad Amir	23	14	4	1	164.28
Abrar Ahmed	5	8	1	0	62.50
Usman Tariq	1*	1	0	0	100.00

Extras: 8 (1 bye, 1 leg bye, 6 wides)

Total: 135 all out in 18.4 overs

Fall of Wickets: 1-1 (Saud Shakeel, 0.6 ov), 2-1 (Jason Roy, 1.2 ov), 3-10 (Rilee Rossouw, 2.3 ov), 4-16 (Khawaja Nafay, 4.2 ov), 5-16 (Laurie Evans, 4.3 ov), 6-68 (Akeal Hosein, 10.1 ov), 7-85 (Mohammad Wasim, 13.2 ov), 8-126 (Mohammad Amir, 16.4 ov), 9-129 (Omair Yousuf, 17.4 ov), 10-135 (Abrar Ahmed, 18.4 ov)

Also Read: PSL 9 Playoffs: Intensifying the Cricket Frenzy

Eliminator 2 Anticipation

Rajiha nazar of performance of Quetta Gladiators was good which proved to be 50 half century of Omsir Yoosaf but in the end target proved to be high enough as there was no stone unturned by the bowlers of opposition to take one another with Imam and Wasim. Wasim’s impressive three-wicket haul for only 12 runs in the innings led to him getting the most joy of all the players and consequently proved to him the worth of his award by being Player of the Match.

United made life easy for themselves with the contribution of Naseem Shah, Obed McCoy, and Faheem Ashraf which facilitated the loss of Quetta Gladiators of only 135 runs. Consequently, United had an easy time in the defense of the Quetta Gladiators’ bulliey.

Road to the Final

It’s just the start for the Islamabad United or any other team’s contest in the PSL 9 trail. Speeding up for transfer number two, eyes are fixed on the final match that is the clash with Multan Sultans. The temperature of each match will be determined by the mountain of emerging challenges and opportunities. Thus United will try to make the most of their strengths and scale every obstacle as they follow the path to success.

Also Read: Pakistan Super League 2024: Season 9 Points Table Analysis After 30 Matches

Conclusion

Cricket champs Pres Office of the Prime Minister’s Islamabad United’s qualifying PSL 9 for the Eliminator 2 stage shows they are very skilful, resiliant and that players work as a team. With just one more stage to be faced against Peshawar Zalmi, their opponents in the next round, the level of enthusiasm among the fans climbs to an all-time high. Gazing at the ultimate prize through their sights, let’s United move ahead decisively to leave the name of Pakistan Super League as a ribbon of notoriety.

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