Lahore, April 2, 2026: Islamabad United secured their first win of Pakistan Super League Season 11 with a convincing eight-wicket victory over Quetta Gladiators at Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.
Chasing a competitive target of 184, United reached 185/2 in 18.5 overs, courtesy of a match-winning innings from emerging batter Sameer Minhas and a captain’s knock by Shadab Khan.
United made a brisk start as Devon Conway and Sameer Minhas put together a solid opening stand of 40 runs. Conway was dismissed for 18 off 19 balls by Abrar Ahmed, who struck again soon after to remove Andries Gous for just two, reducing United to 61/2 in 6.5 overs.
From there, Sameer and Shadab steadied the innings and turned the tide with a commanding partnership. The duo first added 50 runs to take the total past 100 and then extended their stand to 100 runs, putting Islamabad firmly in control.
Sameer Minhas remained in sublime form, registering his maiden PSL half-century, and finished unbeaten on 83 off 48 balls, laced with eight fours and three sixes. Skipper Shadab Khan led from the front with a fluent 68 off 38 deliveries, striking five fours and four sixes, as United comfortably chased down the target in the penultimate over.
Earlier, Quetta Gladiators posted a competitive 183/5 in 20 overs, riding on solid contributions across the batting order.
Openers Shamyl Hussain and Saud Shakeel provided a brisk start, adding 50 runs before Salman Irshad dismissed Shamyl for 21.
Saud Shakeel continued the momentum with a quickfire 42 off 26 balls, but was removed by Shadab Khan, leaving Quetta at 71/2 in 8.1 overs. Wickets, however, fell at regular intervals thereafter.
Imad Wasim dismissed Khawaja Nafay for 18, while Shadab delivered a crucial double blow in the 12th over, removing Ben McDermott and Bevon Jacobs to leave Gladiators struggling at 93/5.
A late resurgence came through Hassan Nawaz and Tom Curran, who stitched together a vital 50-run partnership. Nawaz played a standout innings, remaining unbeaten on 64 off 35 balls (six fours, three sixes), while Curran contributed a handy 29.
Shadab Khan capped an all-round performance with impressive bowling figures of 3/23 in four overs, while Imad Wasim and Salman Irshad chipped in with one wicket each.
