Defending champions, Quetta Gladiators, emerged victors against Islamabad United by three wickets in the opening match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020, helped by young Azam Khan's commendable batting.
Azam — the Gladiators’ 21-year-old emerging pick — smashed three shots over the boundary and stroked five shots to the fence to score 59 off 33 that helped Quetta chase a 169-run target in 18.3 overs for a loss of seven wickets.
Earlier, Islamabad got a blow on the tournament's first ball when Colin Munro was caught and bowled by Mohammad Nawaz.
After the first wicket was lost, Dawid Malan and Luke Ronchi tried to rebuild the innings and added 38 runs in 22 deliveries before the latter was caught at backward point off Sohail Khan after scoring 23.
Following Ronchi's fall, it was Malan’s turn to take the charge and he did so by scoring some quick runs. The former added 68 runs for the third wicket before his partner, Hussain Talat (19), was caught by Ahmed Shahzad off Mohammad Hasnain.
Colin Ingram was next to go and his wicket was followed by Malan’s departure. Malan had scored 64 off 50, smashing five fours and three sixes as Islamabad lost its last six wickets for just 41 runs.
