83/2 (6.4)
CR : 12.45
80/10 (15.5)
CR : 5.05
Islamabad United won by 8 wickets 🏆
Player of the Match
Richard Gleeson
3/9
Energetic batter of the Match: Mohsin Riaz (42 runs off just 18 balls)
Maximum boundaries in the Match: Mohsin Riaz
Catch of the Match: Marnus Labuschagne (to dismiss Mohsin Riaz)
Smart wicket of the Match: Richard Gleeson (taking wicket of Maaz)
Superpower of the Match: Shadab Khan
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: RICHARD GLEESON
Richard Gleeson (Player of the Match): (On his spell and taking key wickets) “It was nice. The conditions helped for bowling with swing and using the seam, so I just tried to keep that going for as long as possible. There was great support from the others as well, especially with Mirza coming back into the side today, and the spinners finished things off nicely.
(On bouncing back after the previous loss) Yesterday was obviously a disappointing result for us. With back-to-back games, it was a good opportunity to put things right straight away, and we managed to do that. The pitch had a few challenges, but I think we adapted well and made good use of the conditions.
(On having strong spin options in the middle overs) It definitely gives comfort knowing we have quality spinners like Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim to control the middle phase. We’ve got a lot of bowling talent. If you’re not performing, someone is ready to take your place. That pressure is healthy, and thankfully, everyone is stepping up right now. At the moment, the bowling group is performing really nicely.”
(On bouncing back after the previous loss) Yesterday was obviously a disappointing result for us. With back-to-back games, it was a good opportunity to put things right straight away, and we managed to do that. The pitch had a few challenges, but I think we adapted well and made good use of the conditions.
(On having strong spin options in the middle overs) It definitely gives comfort knowing we have quality spinners like Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim to control the middle phase. We’ve got a lot of bowling talent. If you’re not performing, someone is ready to take your place. That pressure is healthy, and thankfully, everyone is stepping up right now. At the moment, the bowling group is performing really nicely.”
Marnus Labuschagne (Hyderabad Kingsmen captain): "(His thoughts on the game) Still smiling, but not the performance that we hoped for. We clearly know how to win big and to lose big as well. It is what it is. We have to park that game and our season is still alive come the 10th (league stage) game.
(Poor shot-making or great bowling?) I think it is always a combination. You can never go to just one facet of the game. They put the ball in the right areas, it was swinging. We tried to take them on and it did not come off. Then, once we were on the backfoot, we did not consolidate and get a score of 120-130 on the board."
(Poor shot-making or great bowling?) I think it is always a combination. You can never go to just one facet of the game. They put the ball in the right areas, it was swinging. We tried to take them on and it did not come off. Then, once we were on the backfoot, we did not consolidate and get a score of 120-130 on the board."
Shadab Khan (Islamabad United Captain): (On qualifying for the top four) “Yes, Alhamdulillah. This was the kind of victory we needed. I think it was the right time to grab momentum, and hopefully, we can carry that momentum forward from here. It was important to win after the last loss because many things were going right, but we needed the result.
(On Richard Gleeson’s Powerplay spell) He was outstanding. Throughout the tournament, he has bowled brilliantly with the new ball. When one bowler takes three wickets in the Powerplay like that, it has a huge impact.
(On the spin trio supporting the attack) Definitely. Experience matters. Players like Chris Green and Imad Wasim play leagues all around the world. They bring energy into the team, and as a bowling unit, that helps a lot. When you have so much experience, many things become easier. As a captain, it becomes much easier to manage the game when you have bowlers like that.
(On his diving catch, “crocodile catch”) I think because of the lights it may not have looked that great, but Alhamdulillah it was taken, and that’s what matters.”
(On Richard Gleeson’s Powerplay spell) He was outstanding. Throughout the tournament, he has bowled brilliantly with the new ball. When one bowler takes three wickets in the Powerplay like that, it has a huge impact.
(On the spin trio supporting the attack) Definitely. Experience matters. Players like Chris Green and Imad Wasim play leagues all around the world. They bring energy into the team, and as a bowling unit, that helps a lot. When you have so much experience, many things become easier. As a captain, it becomes much easier to manage the game when you have bowlers like that.
(On his diving catch, “crocodile catch”) I think because of the lights it may not have looked that great, but Alhamdulillah it was taken, and that’s what matters.”
That's why they say, "Cricket is a great leveller." The team that had been on the receiving side of a thumping yesterday, came back to maul the team that was on a 4-game winning streak. With this emphatic result, three-time champions Islamabad United have qualified for the playoffs.
With this, only spot remains. The only good thing for Hyderabad Kingsmen is that they still have their destiny in their own hands. They face RawalPindiZ in their last league stage fixture. A win will take them to 10 points. As of now, 3 teams can make it to 10 points. We could also have a 4-way tie on 8 points. Hence, net run rate could be of importance in deciding the final play-offs spot.
Hence, plenty to look forward over the weekend. 4 matches and plenty of permutations and combinations possible. Keep following Crickxo as we keep you abreast with this riveting race to the playoffs. For now, this is the troika of Darpan Tikiya, Dev Rajawat and Zeeshan Naiyer signing off. See you soon!
With this, only spot remains. The only good thing for Hyderabad Kingsmen is that they still have their destiny in their own hands. They face RawalPindiZ in their last league stage fixture. A win will take them to 10 points. As of now, 3 teams can make it to 10 points. We could also have a 4-way tie on 8 points. Hence, net run rate could be of importance in deciding the final play-offs spot.
Hence, plenty to look forward over the weekend. 4 matches and plenty of permutations and combinations possible. Keep following Crickxo as we keep you abreast with this riveting race to the playoffs. For now, this is the troika of Darpan Tikiya, Dev Rajawat and Zeeshan Naiyer signing off. See you soon!