Faheem, Hasan Power Quetta Gladiators to Top of HBL PSL X

Faheem, Hasan Star as Gladiators Edge United in Last-Over Thriller

Quetta Gladiators reclaimed the top spot in the HBL PSL X points table with a nail-biting two-wicket win over Islamabad United at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday night. A gripping contest that swung back and forth saw Faheem Ashraf deliver a superb four-wicket haul before young Hasan Nawaz's nerveless 64 not out guided Quetta home in the final over.

United's Solid Start Crumbles After Powerplay Punch

Islamabad United got off to a blazing start after being sent in to bat. The opening duo of Kyle Mayers and Sahibzada Farhan powered their way to 50 inside five overs, setting the tone for a high-scoring innings. Mayers was the aggressor early on but was undone by a sharp delivery from Abrar Ahmed in the sixth over.

That breakthrough opened the floodgates. Faheem Ashraf turned the tide in the ninth over with a double blow, dismissing Colin Munro and stand-in skipper Salman Ali Agha in quick succession. In the very next over, part-time spinner Saud Shakeel took the crucial wicket of Farhan, who had looked dangerous with 39 off just 24 balls. The collapse continued as Faheem returned to remove Gous and Mohammad Shahzad in the 13th over, completing an inspired 4-25 spell.

Only Mohammad Nawaz stood tall amidst the ruins. Coming in at a precarious position, Nawaz showcased immense maturity, slamming five sixes in his 49 off 34 balls to push United to a modest 157/9 by the end of their 20 overs. He found late support in Jason Holder, who chipped in with an unbeaten 14, but it was clear United had fallen short of their early promise.

Quetta's Top Order Falters, Hasan Holds His Nerve

Quetta Gladiators' chase began confidently as they raced to 28 within three overs. However, captain Saud Shakeel fell just before the end of the third over, and Finn Allen followed soon after, putting early pressure on the middle order.

The dependable Rilee Rossouw then joined Hasan Nawaz and the duo stitched together a stabilizing 52-run stand. Rossouw played a calculated knock, striking four crisp boundaries before an unfortunate run-out left Quetta reeling again. Islamabad sensed an opening, and wickets began tumbling. Mark Chapman, Sherfane Rutherford, and Saud Shakeel’s early loss added to Quetta's troubles as they found themselves at 117-7 in the 16th over.

But Hasan Nawaz had other ideas.

Despite being starved of partners, he remained composed under pressure. He built a crucial 26-run partnership with Mohammad Wasim Jnr, who struck a couple of boundaries to keep Quetta within touching distance of the target. Wasim fell to a sharp delivery from Naseem Shah in the penultimate over, leaving Hasan to score 13 off the final over.

What followed was a mix of skill and fortune. Hasan was dropped three times in the final over, but he made Islamabad pay by hammering two towering sixes off Muhammad Shahzad, sealing a thrilling victory with one ball to spare. His unbeaten 64 off 41 balls included four sixes and two boundaries, a performance that rightfully earned him the Player of the Match award.

Turning Points and Tactical Highlights

Faheem Ashraf's spell was the catalyst for Quetta's dominance in the middle overs. His ability to extract bounce and movement, even on a flat Lahore pitch, dismantled Islamabad's middle order. On the other end, Hasan's cool temperament and calculated aggression showed the kind of maturity rarely seen in a player so young.

The match also highlighted Islamabad's fielding woes. The dropped catches in the final over not only cost them the game but also exposed a growing concern in high-pressure moments. With the playoff race intensifying, United will need to shore up these lapses to stay in contention.

What This Means for the Table

With this win, Quetta Gladiators leapfrogged their rivals to reclaim the top position on the PSL 2025 points table. Their balanced combination of experience and youth continues to pay dividends. Islamabad United, meanwhile, will be left ruing missed chances and a mid-innings batting collapse that turned a promising start into an uphill battle.