Islamabad United vs Quetta Gladiators Eliminator 1 Match Commentary: PSL, 2024

1.21am  Right then, that is it from Eliminator 1 of the ongoing PSL 2024 with Islamabad United outclassing Quetta Gladiators and winning this by 39 runs. Islamabad United now march on to play Eliminator 2 against Peshawar Zalmi on 16th March at 9.30 pm IST (4 pm GMT). Join us an hour early for the pre-match build-up. Until then, stay safe and enjoy your time.

1.20am  Shadab Khan the captain of Islamabad United says they lost some momentum at halfway and despite them not playing a perfect game until here, they are heading to Eliminator 2. Adds that the pitch looked good and that's why they wanted to bat first. Mentions that they have the winning momentum and hopefully it stays for the next two games. Concludes that they will need to capitalize on the starts they get and there are so many mistakes to learn from.

1.17am  Imad Wasim is the player of the match for his outstanding spell with the ball picking up 3 wickets for just 12 runs. He is up for a quick chat and says they saw that the ball was holding a bit and spinning early on and that helped him. Adds that early wickets were key and slower ball was the go-to ball today and not the arm delivery. Mentions that they did both things well by scoring a good total and restricting them well within.

1.07am  Rilee Rossouw the captain of Quetta Gladiators says they would have liked to score more runs and they will look to get better and come stronger next year. Adds that it is a great franchise and he is honored to lead this side and they have a lot of positives to carry ahead. Mentions that the spin attack was great for them and the whole bowling department has done a phenomenal job with Mohammad Amir leading from the front on decks that didn't offer a lot for the bowlers. Concludes that things didn't go the way they should have but thanks the fans for the support throughout the season and says this has been the right process and hopefully they do better next time.

1.03am  Stay tuned for the presentation ceremony ...

1.03am  Earlier in the game, Islamabad United got off to a blistering start after electing to bat first. The opening pair added 51 and gave the side a perfect start which was followed well by another 51-run partnership between Martin Guptill and Agha Salman for the second wicket. There weren't any bigger partnerships and the side failed to capitalize on a quick start and failed to go big later in the innings. Martin Guptill was the top scorer as he scored 56 runs while Agha Salman scored 31 as well. Alex Hales, Shadab Khan and Azam Khan got off to good starts but couldn't go big. For Quetta Gladiators it was Akeal Hosein and Mohammad Amir who took a couple each while others chipped in with a wicket each as well.

1.01am  The bowling from Islamabad United was spot on as they executed their plans to perfection and managed to break the backbone of the Quetta Gladiators with wickets right at the top. Imad Wasim bowled three inside the powerplay and was exceptional while Naseem Shah too bowled a couple right at the top and removed Jason Roy nice and early. Imad Wasim was the pick of the bowlers for his spell of 4 overs giving away just 12 off it and picking up 3 key wickets. Naseem Shah ended up with a couple to his name while, Obed McCoy, Hunain Shah and Faheem Ashraf got into the wickets column as well.

1.00am  Chasing down a tricky total Quetta Gladiators got off to a worst possible start and lost 5 inside the powerplay managing to score just 23 off it. The side lost the top and middle order and were found chasing shadows. Akeal Hosein and Omair Yousuf did try to calm the situation with a steady partnership of 52 runs for the 6th wicket but Akeal Hosein was dismissed after a mix-up between the batters. Mohammad Amir and Omair Yousuf then set the fireworks with a blistering partnership of 41 but the score board pressure was too much to cope up with and Amir succumed to it. Omair Yousuf was the top scorer for Quetta Gladiators as he scored 50 while Akeal Hosein scored 31 off 18 and Mohammad Amir fought hard for his 23 off just 14.

12.57am  A tremendous spell from Imad Wasim right at the top was too hot to handle for Quetta Gladiators as they fell short by 39 runs in the 1st Eliminator and are now knocked out of the tournament. Islamabad United will have another bite at the cherry with them advancing to the 2nd Eliminator.

OUT! TIMBER! Islamabad United win and advance to Eliminator 2. They wrap up Quetta Gladiators for just 135 runs and win by 39 runs. Shah bowls a fuller delivery attacking the stumps, Abrar Ahmed takes a couple of steps out and plays all over it. The ball sneaks through and rattles the stumps.
Abrar Ahmed b H Shah 5 (8b 1x4 0x6)