Luke Wright smacked 86 off 53 balls as he starred in Quetta Gladiators’ eight-wicket victory over Islamabad United in the opening match of the inaugural Pakistan Super League.
The Sussex captain, fresh off a productive stint with Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash, hit 11 fours and four sixes to help wrap up the win with 24 balls to spare as Quetta were set 129 for victory after Islamabad reached a respectable 128 for seven from their 20 overs.
The 21-year-old all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz helped Quetta dismantle Islamabda’s top-order, finishing with impressive figures of 4-13, which included the wickets of England and Kent wicketkeeper-batsman Sam Billings and Shane Watson.
Thank you @TeamQuetta fans & others for your very kind messages. Delighted to help contribute to our first win. Lots more hard work to come!
— Luke Wright (@lukewright204) February 5, 2016
West Indian all-rounder Andre Russell and Islamabad captain Misbah-ul-Haq restored their innings from 63 for six to 120 for seven, hitting 35 not out and 41 respectively.
Despite losing the wickets of Ahmed Shehzad and Kevin Pietersen, Wright and Nawaz, who also chipped in with 22, saw the Gladiators cross the finish line with ease.
Source: ECB