1. Islamabad United has been in the PSL for 6 seasons, they have had multiple firsts, their first run, first wicket, first game at home and their first title. So 56 games in the chances of a new first would have been rare, but they did get another first and it was Rohail Nazir keeping for Islamabad United. Prior to this Islamabad United has had a history of using overseas keepers, they have had Sam Billings, Brad Haddin, Chadwick Walton and the most loved of all Luke Ronchi. So when Rohail Nazir made his Islamabad United, he became the first Pakistani wicket keeper for Islamabad United in their 57th game.
2. The powerplay overs are key overs of the innings, with the field restrictions in the batting side is given a free reign to go after the bowling. Islamabad United prior to this game have been economical in the first 6 overs, they conceded just 5.44 runs per over but picked a wicket every 6 overs, so Islamabad United on average would concede 32.64 runs for 1 wicket in the first 6 overs. Today Islamabad United conceded 41 runs, more than they usually have done but they picked 4 wickets which was what pegged Quetta back. 4 wickets in the first 6 overs and the opposition is in a rebuild phase for most of the game.
3. Sarafraz Ahmed came into this game having scored 121 runs in 74 balls in his last two innings at 9.8 runs per over, today he walked in with Quetta in a spot of bother with 2 wickets down for 21 runs, that situation became worse when Quetta slipped further behind with 41/4. So rebuilding was the need of the hour and Sarfraz Ahmed is the right batsman for that situation. He took his time scoring 11 runs in his first 18 balls, but after the 11th over, he took down Shadab for 3 consecutive 4s and he followed it up with 4 consecutive 6s in the next over from Ifthikar Ahmed. Sarfraz has been good against spinners and he saw the opportunity against the spinners to bring Quetta back in the game and he grabbed the opportunity. In those 2 overs — 12th and 13th over — Quetta scored 39 runs which was 25% of their final total.
4. Faheem Ashraf has been good, he has been good for a while. He has been performing for Islamabad since he was picked in the 2018 draft. He has been one of the most consistent players for the side in the 4 seasons he has been with the side. Today was another day where he showed his value when picking 3/11 in his 4 overs. He was the batsman who was responsible for putting Quetta in the hole they were at the end of the powerplay. Dismissing Cameron Delport with what could be best described as a “Aai Haai” ball as he sent the stumps cartwheeling, or picking Azam Khan with a well directed bouncer or at the end picking a well set Sarafraz Ahmed to basically any chance of comeback for Quetta Gladiators. Faheem was the man who made it all happen.
5. When Colin Munro and Luke Ronchi were unavailable, there was a huge question mark on who would play their role in the side now. Who is going to be the batsman who gives Islamabad the flying starts in the powerplay. Islamabad acquired Alex Hales through a draft and plugged one of the holes, but with Munro’s late withdrawal Islamabad needed to pick someone who could do the same role and in came Paul Stirling.
Islamabad United’s required rate at the start of the chase was 7.85 runs per over, at the end of the powerplay that required run rate was 5.91 runs per over. Islamabad United scored 76 runs in powerplay at 12.66 runs per over. The main architect of that power play masterpiece for Islamabad United was Paul Stirling, who faced 22 of the 36 balls in the powerplay overs and scored 52 runs at 14.16 runs per over. Stirling scored 42 runs in his first 16 balls, with most of it coming in the first 3 overs of the chase. That assault on Quetta’s bowling basically killed any chance of a comeback Quetta thought they had in winning this game.
6. Islamabad United won the game with 3 overs to spare, after that game against Zalmi where they were bundled out for the lowest total, the side made a phenomenal comeback to win their 3rd game in dominating fashion which also gave them a boost in the NRR.