PSL 2026: Minhas, Shadab guide Islamabad United to convincing win

Match Overview

Enterprising half-centuries from Pakistan’s rising star Sameer Minhas (unbeaten 82 off just 48) and skipper Shadab Khan (unbeaten 69 off 39) headlined Islamabad United’s comprehensive eight-wicket triumph over Quetta Gladiators in their PSL 2026 clash in Lahore.

The duo killed the chase with an undefeated 128-run partnership off 68 balls for the third wicket, reaching the 184-run target with 10 balls unused. Islamabad’s opener Devon Conway laboured his way to 18 off 19 before slicing Abrar Ahmed to short third man. Abrar then dismissed hard-hitter Andries Gous cheaply, sneaking the ball between the bat-pad gap.

But from that point, Minhas and Shadab ensured that there were no further casualties, even if the runs were not easy to come by. United were 82 for 2 at the halfway mark and needed a momentum shift desperately, and they got just that in the 22-run 12th over, bowled by Tom Curran. Quetta were also generous in giving Shadab a reprieve on 9, with Usman Tariq failing to grab the opportunity, which eventually cost them dearly.

Earlier in the day, Quetta amassed 183 for 5 thanks chiefly to Hasan Nawaz’s unbeaten 66 off 36 with six fours and three sixes alongside some useful contributions from skipper Saud Shakeeel (42 off 26) and Shamyl Hussain (21 off 15) before Curran’s late flourish with an unbeaten 29 off 22.

Quetta flew off the blocks quickly, reaching 50 in five overs after a sedate first over. Coming after a Player-of-the-Match performance against Hyderabad Kingsmen, Shamyl failed to replicate it as Salman Irshad induced a leading edge and had him caught at cover point. Skipper Shakeel was the next to fall, top-edging Shabad’s googly to short third.

Khawaja Nafay holed out to deep backward square off Imad Wasim before Shadab derailed the innings with wickets of consecutive balls in the double-wicket 12th over, outfoxing and cleaning up Ben McDermott cheaply before deceiving Bevon Jacobs with a flighted one to remove him for a golden duck.

Top run-scorer of the match

Top wicket-taker of the match

Player of the match

Shadab Khan

Islamabad United skipper Shadab Khan had a brilliant all-round outing against Quetta Gladiators. He returned an analysis of 3 for 23, including wickets of his opposite number Saud Shakeel before the twin strikes to dismiss Ben McDermott and Bevon Jacobs. With the bat, he struck an undefeated 69 off 39 with five fours and four sixes while being involved in an unbeaten century partnership with Sameer Minhas.

What the captains said

Winning Team Captain, Shadab Khan (Islamabad United)

"When you play as an all-rounder, when you do one thing well, you feel it is your day. But every time, you have to start from scratch. Today was good, following a process and hopefully it keeps going this way. We knew he (Sameer Minhas) was an exciting talent. We knew he needed a platform like this and some confidence. The maturity he is showing, hopefully there are many more to come from him. On this ground, where the ball flies, we had a good cushion after the powerplay. You have to pick and choose. They had Abrar and Usman as key bowlers. We saw them off and then we got set (and went after them)."

Losing Team Captain, Saud Shakeel (Quetta Gladiators)

"(On their score) The start that we had, we could have scored 10 more runs. The pitch was a little tough in the first innings and it got better in the second (innings). (Turning point) The partnership between Sameer and Shadab. They did not take a lot of risks but still continued with their momentum. We told that they (the batters in the middle) needed to take chances to get to 170-180."