Rawalpindiz secured their first win of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 season with a composed four-wicket victory over Islamabad United at the National Bank Stadium on Thursday, courtesy of a disciplined bowling effort followed by a measured run chase.
Chasing a modest target of 138, Rawalpindiz reached 141 for four in 19 overs despite an early setback, as opener Abdullah Fazal was dismissed for a first-ball duck.
The innings was stabilised by skipper Mohammad Rizwan and Kamran Ghulam, who stitched together a crucial 78-run partnership to bring the chase back on track. Ghulam played an attacking knock of 42 off 30 deliveries, striking five fours and a six before being dismissed by Chris Green.
Rizwan continued to anchor the innings but fell to Shadab Khan after scoring 45 off 38 balls, which included five boundaries and a six, leaving Rawalpindiz at 92-3 in 12.5 overs. The pressure briefly intensified when Sam Billings was run out for two following sharp fielding from Shadab.
However, Daryl Mitchell and Dian Forrester ensured there were no further hiccups, guiding the side home with an unbeaten partnership. Mitchell remained not out on 32 off 25 balls, hitting two fours and a six, while Forrester contributed 13 runs to seal the victory.
Earlier, Islamabad United were restricted to 137 all out in their allotted 20 overs after opting to bat first, as Rawalpindiz’s bowlers maintained consistent pressure throughout the innings.
United’s openers Devon Conway and Sameer Minhas struggled to accelerate, managing just 20 runs before Mohammad Amir dismissed Minhas for six in the fifth over. The situation worsened during the powerplay when Naseem Shah removed Mohammad Faiq for five, reducing Islamabad to 29-2.
Saad Masood further dented the innings by dismissing Shadab Khan for one, leaving United reeling at 30-3 in the seventh over.
A 49-run partnership between Conway and Mark Chapman provided some stability, taking the total past 50. Conway top-scored with 40 off 33 balls, including three fours and two sixes, before being dismissed by Daryl Mitchell.
Chapman added 23 off 18 balls but was trapped lbw by Asif Afridi, while Haider Ali (6) and Faheem Ashraf (11) fell in quick succession as wickets continued to tumble.
Chris Green provided late impetus with a quick 29 off 16 deliveries, featuring two fours and two sixes, helping Islamabad cross the 100-run mark. However, he was run out in the final over as the innings folded shortly after.
Dian Forrester wrapped up the innings by removing Mohammad Hasnain for a duck and then dismissing Richard Gleeson to complete a tidy bowling display.
The victory marks Rawalpindiz’s first points of the PSL 11 campaign, while Islamabad United will look to regroup after another batting struggle.
