DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, CMC – Andre Russell’s cameo was not enough to save Islamabad United as they plunged to a comprehensive eight-wicket defeat to Quetta Gladiators in the opening game of the inaugural Pakistan Super League here yesterday.
Sent in at the Dubai International Stadium, Gladiators finished on 128 for seven off their 20 overs with West Indies all-rounder Russell blasting a quick-fire unbeaten 35.
They were slumping at 63 for six in the 15th over when Russell joined captain Misbah-ul-Haq to post a frenzied 57 from 27 balls in an entertaining seventh wicket stand.
The right-handed Russell faced 20 balls and struck four fours and a six while Misbah top-scored with 41 from 28 deliveries, with four fours and a six.
Left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz finished with four for 13 from his four overs.
In reply, Gladiators raced to their target with four overs to spare thanks to English opener Luke Wright’s terrific 86 not out off 53 deliveries.
He counted 11 fours and four sixes and put on 53 for the first wicket with Pakistani Ahmed Shehzad (11) and a further 59 in an unbroken third wicket partnership with Nawaz who stroked a run-a-ball 22 not out.
Medium pacer Russell was expensive in his two-over spell, conceding 31 runs while West Indies leg-spinner Samuel Badree also went wicket-less from three overs which cost 25 runs.
