Shadab, Minhas power Islamabad United to dominant chase

Islamabad United produced a clinical all-round performance to defeat Quetta Gladiators by eight wickets in a high-scoring PSL 2026 encounter in Lahore.

Chasing 184, United were briefly under pressure at 86 for 2 before captain Shadab Khan and rising star Sameer Minhas combined for a match-defining unbeaten partnership of 128 off just 68 balls. Their calculated aggression turned the game decisively in United’s favour.

Minhas, continuing his rapid rise after impressing at U-19 level, struck a superb 82* off 48 balls, showcasing composure and clean hitting. Shadab complemented him with a fluent 69*, accelerating particularly against spin and ensuring the chase remained firmly on track.

The turning point came in the 12th over when Tom Curran was taken for 22 runs, shifting momentum irreversibly. From there, the duo controlled proceedings, sealing the win with ease and plenty of deliveries to spare.

Earlier, Quetta posted 183 for 5, largely thanks to an explosive unbeaten 66 from Hasan Nawaz, who dominated the death overs. His late assault, along with contributions from Saud Shakeel and others, gave the Gladiators a competitive total after a relatively slow start.

However, Shadab had already made a major impact with the ball. His spell of 3 for 23 included key wickets and broke the Gladiators’ momentum in the middle overs. Alongside him, Imad Wasim applied pressure that prevented Quetta from fully capitalising earlier in the innings.

Despite Hasan Nawaz’s late flourish, Quetta’s total proved insufficient against a composed and powerful chase.

The victory highlights Islamabad United’s depth and balance, with Shadab leading from the front and Minhas emerging as one of the most exciting young talents in the tournament.