Top-ranked Quetta Gladiators' opener Ahmad Shehzad's half-century cemented a formidable 181-run target against Islamabad United in the second fixture of the day.
The opener scored 73 runs off 46 balls with nine boundaries and a six, while middle-order batsman Umar Akmal assisted him with 27 off 17.
Faheem Ashraf picked four wickets, Ammad Butt picked three, Samit Patel and Zafar Gauhar bagged one each.
Gladiators take on Islamabad United after a victory over Peshawar Zalmi took the Sarfraz XI all the way to the playoffs of the ongoing Pakistan Super League.
Quetta thrashed Peshawar by eight wickets in the PSL ‘Clasico’ on Monday, powered by Shane Watson’s unbeaten 91 off 55 balls that left the match unceremoniously one-sided. His fiery batting overshadowed Kamran Akmal’s 72 off 50 and Kieron Pollard’s 44 off 21, earning him yet another Player of the Match award.
Their place in the playoffs safe, today’s match may be a dead rubber for Quetta but the same cannot be said for Islamabad United, who are in third spot with four wins and as many losses from eight games so far.
The Sami-led Islamabad will want to avoid any risk and secure a win to move up the table, after Multan Sultans crashed out of the tournament following a five-wicket beating by Karachi Kings.
