After a frustrating run throughout the tournament, Rawalpindiz finally registered their first win of PSL 2026 in their second last match, avoiding a winless campaign. It took nine attempts, but they managed to break through with a composed performance against Islamabad United, who surprisingly faltered at a crucial stage of the competition.
The foundation for this win was laid by a disciplined bowling effort. Mohammad Amir led the charge with precision and control, supported well by Naseem Shah before he had to leave the field due to injury. Islamabad never found momentum, crawling to just 30 runs in the powerplay, their lowest tally this season. Early wickets, including that of Shadab Khan, left them struggling at 30 for 3, and the middle order failed to accelerate when it mattered.
A late push came through Chris Green, whose quickfire 29 off 16 balls helped Islamabad reach 137. Even so, it remained a below par total on a surface that offered some assistance to the bowlers.
The chase was far from fluent, but Rawalpindiz approached it with patience. Mohammad Rizwan anchored the innings with a steady 45, while Kamran Ghulam and Daryl Mitchell chipped in with valuable runs. Rizwan and Ghulam built a crucial 78 run partnership from 56 deliveries, steadily reducing the target without taking unnecessary risks.
There were a few tense moments when Islamabad struck back, removing set batters and briefly raising hopes of a late twist. However, Mitchell remained calm under pressure and ensured there were no further hiccups. A decisive over, which brought 17 runs including a boundary and a six, effectively sealed the contest and left only a handful of runs to chase.
Rawalpindiz eventually crossed the line comfortably in the 17th over, securing a much needed win and avoiding an unwanted record of nine consecutive losses. While it may not change their position significantly, this victory offers a positive note to end an otherwise disappointing campaign.
