Islamabad United sealed its spot in the playoff by thrashing Hyderabad Kingsmen by 8 wickets in their 36th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The impressive victory saw Islamabad United’s young batter Mohsin Riaz score 42 runs, while Sameer Manhas remained not out with 27 runs. The match was played at the National Stadium in Karachi, where Hyderabad Kingsmen batted first and set a target of 81 runs, which Islamabad United achieved in the 7th over with 2 wickets in hand.
Hyderabad Kingsmen’s batting was completely shattered, with the entire team being bowled out for 80 runs in 16 overs. This defeat marked their worst performance in the ongoing season, surpassing their previous record of 130 runs against Lahore Qalandars. The team’s NRR (Net Run Rate) plummeted to -1.037, which is a significant setback for them.
Islamabad United’s Richard Gleeson, Shadab Khan, and Imad Wasim took three wickets each, while the team made two changes for the match, with Mohsin Riaz and Salman Mirza replacing Mohammad Hasnain and Mohammad Faiz. Hyderabad Kingsmen also made a change by bringing in Aaqib Javed in place of Asif Mahmood.
In another match, Karachi Quetta Gladiators secured a 196-run target in just 18.3 overs at the Qaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman praised the Prime Minister’s efforts in promoting the event, saying that the country’s cricket fans will soon be treated to a thrilling experience.
In sports news, Pakistan’s sprinters Faiqa Haider and Saimulah qualified for the 60-meter final at the ongoing Asian Beach Games in Tianjin, China. In cricket, Quetta Gladiators’ bowling coach Sohail Tanvir expressed his disappointment, saying that his team failed to play as a unit to secure a victory.
Former New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond has been banned for two years after testing positive for cocaine. In another development, Pakistan’s Under-16 boys team is set to leave for Kazakhstan to participate in the UEFA Under-16 Development Tournament.
In a shocking revelation, the Iranian delegation is set to visit Muscat and Moscow, while in Pakistan, a former cricketer, Zulfiqar Bhutto Jr., has dismissed the criticism of being a hypocrite like other politicians.
Meanwhile, the remains of a young woman, Naaehida, have been identified through DNA testing, and the police have arrested two suspects, including her brother, Zaid Hassan, in connection with the gruesome murder.
