Azam Khan bludgeoned 97 off 42 balls and Islamabad United blew away Quetta Gladiators by 63 runs in the Pakistan Super League. (More Cricket News)
Azam was in sight of the fastest century in PSL history before he was clean bowled off the final ball by a slower yorker from pacer Odean Smith.
He hit eight sixes — three in a row off Mohammad Hasnain — and nine fours in an extraordinary display of power-hitting that lifted Islamabad to 220-6.
Quetta was all out for 157 in 19.1 overs, continuing its struggle to find the right batting lineup. Quetta lost its last three wickets without scoring.
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Islamabad earned its third win in four games, while Quetta has only one win from five.
Islamabad didn't deviate from its aggressive batting attitude despite losing its three overseas batters and captain Shadab Khan by midway of their innings.
Azam and Asif Ali counterattacked with a 98-run stand off 45 balls. Asif hit 42 off 24 balls.
Quetta's reply faltered immediately. Jason Roy (5) and Martin Guptill (0) fell in the first two overs. Veteran Mohammad Hafeez top-scored with 48 off 26 and captain Sarfaraz Ahmed made 41 off 36.
Fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi took 3-28 in his first game of the season, spinner Abrar Ahmed added 2-21, and Hasan Ali wrapped up the innings quickly with 3-39.
