PSL: Nawaz, Wright star as Quetta hammer Islamabad on opening day

Published February 5, 2016
Quetta need 129 runs to win in 20 overs. The Gladiators have the services of flamboyant English batsman Kevin Pietersen and his compatriot Luke Wright. —Screengrab
Quetta need 129 runs to win in 20 overs. The Gladiators have the services of flamboyant English batsman Kevin Pietersen and his compatriot Luke Wright. —Screengrab

Mohammad Nawaz picked up 4-13 and Wright smashed 86 off 53 balls as Quetta Gladiators beat Islamabad United by eight wickets in a low-scoring opening encounter of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

An explosive knock of 35 off 20 balls from United's Andre Russell drove the capital's franchise to a first innings total of 128 runs as the Gladiators threatened to run away with the game after winning the toss and bowling first.

United lost six wickets for just 64 runs, with 21-year-old left-arm spinner Nawaz doing the majority of the damage.

The Pakistan Test captain, Misbah-ul-Haq, who is also leading Islamabad, came to the crease and was doing the repair work immediately after his side lost Babar Azam and Imran Khalid in quick succession. But it wasn't until he was joined by West Indian all-rounder.

The pick of the bowlers from Quetta was left-arm spinner Nawaz who took four wickets conceding just 13 runs in his quota of four overs on a pitch which supported him and other spinners.

Nawaz got the prize wickets of Shane Watson and Sam Billings, castling the batsmen from Australia and England respectively.

Quetta made light work of the total with Wright smashing four sixes and 11 fours in his blistering knock.

The England international remained unbeaten with Nawaz chipping in with 22 as the Gladiators crossed the finish line in just 16 overs.

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