Islamabad bounce back for nine-wicket win

Islamabad recovered the vast ground they lost to Quetta and overcame a large first-innings deficit to secure a nine-wicket win on the fourth day at the Diamond Club Ground. They took six points from the game, while Quetta earned none.

Such a result seemed improbable after Quetta had scored 263 in the first innings and then dismissed Islamabad for 134. Quetta's first ten batsmen all got starts but Qaiser Abbas' 73 and Jalat Khan's 40 were the most significant contributions. Zohaib Ahmed took 4 for 74 for Islamabad.

Islamabad's first innings was wrecked by Gohar Faiz, who took a career-best 8 for 50. Opener Raheel Majeed's 31 was the top score for Islamabad.

The turnaround began on the third day, when Nasrullah Khan took 5 for 27 to help Islamabad dismiss Quetta for 122 in 34.2 overs. He ensured Islamabad hadn't been batted out of the game, and were chasing a target of only 252. They ended that day on 45 for 0.

On the final day, Islamabad's openers converted their start into a 207-run stand. Majeed made an unbeaten 124 and Shan Masood scored 96 before he edged to the wicketkeeper. By the time they were separated, victory was all but assured. The target was achieved in the 65th over with no further loss for Islamabad.