Grant Elliot struck a massive six over long on with Lahore Qalandars needing six runs off the last five balls with the last wicket standing to give his side a stunning win over defending HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) champions Islamabad United.
Elliot remained not out on 26 off 17 balls to guide his team home after Umar Akmal (66) had brought Qalandars back in the game after a top-order failure had reduced them to 69 for five in their pursuit of 145 runs.
Rumman Raees and young all-rounder Shadab Khan were instrumental in the United fight back with the ball; Raees took three wickets while Shadab snared two.
Akmal struck three sixes and eight fours in his 42 ball innings, he added 41 crucial runs with Elliot in what turned out to be a match winning partnership.
United gave it their all after Shadab had removed Akmal. Sohail Tanvir and Aamer Yamin were dismissed cheaply after Sunil Narine had scored a quick-fire 12 with the help of two sixes, before Elliot’s six sealed the game.
Earlier, Islamabad United made a fine recovery from a perilous position of 83 for six in the 14th over to post a competitive 145 run total. Youngsters Amad Butt (17) and Shadab Khan (42)* added 53 runs in their seventh wicket alliance that bailed their team out.
The partnership was compiled off a mere 33 deliveries, Shadab displayed great tenacity and grit during his 24 ball innings that was studded with three sixes and two fours.
Besides the Shadab-Amad duo, opener Dwayne Smith who scored a match winning half-century against Peshawar Zalmi Sunday night contributed 20 runs to United’s total.
Aamer Yamin who was drafted in the team today made a fine impact with the ball taking three wickets in his miserly four over spell which went for 17 runs only; Yasir Shah took two wickets conceding 27 runs in his four over quota.
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