Islamabad United secured a convincing 7-wicket victory against Rawalpindi in a thrilling Pakistan Super League 2026 encounter. Rawalpindi posted 156/7 in their 20 overs, with Kamran Ghulam top-scoring for his team with 50 off 39 balls. Islamabad United chased down the target in just 14.2 overs, thanks to a brilliant innings by Sameer Minhas, who scored 70 runs off 36 balls, ensuring his team stayed in control throughout the chase.
Rawalpindi’s Batting Struggles
Rawalpindi started well with Kamran Ghulam providing a solid knock, but wickets fell at regular intervals. Mohammad Rizwan and Yasir Khan were dismissed cheaply for 2 runs each, leaving the team under pressure. Daryl Mitchell (19) and Abdullah Fazal (23) offered some support, while Dian Forrester remained unbeaten on 44, helping Rawalpindi reach 156/7. Richard Gleeson, Faheem Ashraf, and Salman Irshad were the standout bowlers for Islamabad United, picking up key wickets at crucial moments.
Sameer Minhas Stars for Islamabad United
Chasing 157, Islamabad United got an early breakthrough with Devon Conway dismissed for 6 by Mohammad Amir. Sameer Minhas anchored the innings with a brilliant 70 off 36 balls, striking 7 fours and 4 sixes. His partnership with Mohammad Faiq (19) and Haider Ali (26*) ensured the chase remained smooth and put Rawalpindi under pressure.
Support from Haider Ali and Mark Chapman
Haider Ali contributed a quickfire 26*, while Mark Chapman finished the innings with a blazing 24* off just 7 balls. Their late acceleration sealed the match in 14.2 overs, giving Islamabad United a dominant 7-wicket win with plenty of overs to spare.
Bowling Highlights
Mohammad Amir picked up an early wicket but was expensive, conceding 18 runs in 3 overs. Jalat Khan and Rishad Hossain also chipped in with a wicket each, while the rest of the bowlers kept things tight in the middle overs, not allowing Rawalpindi to build big partnerships.
Key Partnerships and Powerplays
Rawalpindi scored 35 runs in the first six overs, but their middle-order struggled. Islamabad United’s Powerplay was ideal, scoring 62 runs in the first six overs, setting the tone for a dominant chase led by Sameer Minhas and supported by Haider Ali and Mark Chapman.