Lahore [Pakistan], February 13 (ANI): Quetta Gladiators delivered a second successive 200-plus chase as they defeated Islamabad United by five wickets in a last-over thriller at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore in the 18th fixture of the Pakistan Super League 7 on Saturday night.

Gladiators captain Sarfaraz Ahmed (player of the match) took his side home with an unbeaten 50-run contribution.

Also Read | India vs France, FIH Pro League Hockey 2021-22 Result: Manpreet Singh’s side go down 5-2.

Set an imposing 200-run target, Gladiators got off to a blazing start as Jason Roy and Ahsan Ali provided an 88-run start with Roy falling on the last ball of the eighth over of the chase. Roy was dropped at 25 by Wasim Jnr, the right-hander didn't take a backward step and continued the onslaught in his sensational 54 off 27 balls (10 fours, one six) before he was bowled by Shadab.

Ahsan followed in the next over with Dawson pinning him lbw for 30 off 23 balls (three fours, one six). James Vince (29 off 22) kept Gladiators in the hunt against the mounting required rate as Shadab, the leading wicket-taker of the ongoing season, produced another outstanding spell.

Also Read | Gujarat Giants Team in IPL 2022: Players Bought by GT at Mega Auction, Check Full Squad.

Shadab had the last laugh as he dismissed Vince in the same over (14th) after conceding a six and four. Shadab also accounted for Iftikhar Ahmed to take his season's wicket tally to 17.

Umar Akmal who made his first appearance for the season stroked a stunning 23 off eight balls (three sixes) to initiate the Gladiators comeback. Umar added 52 off 20 balls with Sarfaraz for the match-winning fifth-wicket partnership.

The duo turned the game on its head by taking 17 runs from the 18th over bowled by Hasan Ali when Gladiators needed 44 off the last 18 balls. They then took 19 off the penultimate over bowled by Wasim Jnr who dismissed Umar in the same over.

Sarfaraz finished the game for his side with two balls to spare as he scored back-to-back boundaries off Hasan ending with an incredible unbeaten 50 off 32 balls (three fours, two sixes).

Gladiators have now won three out of their six matches just like United who also have six points from as many matches. United though occupies the third spot ahead of Gladiators fourth on the basis of a superior net run-rate.

Brief Scores: Islamabad United 199/8 (Alex Hales 62, Faheem Ashraf 55; Shahid Afridi 2-27); Quetta Gladiators 203/5 (Jason Roy 54, Sarfaraz Ahmed 50*; Shadab Khan 3-25). (ANI)

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)