11.45pm Have you managed to catch your breath? I haven't. Never quite know with this game. Geez. That was some capitulation from Quetta. They're still rooted at the top of the table but this was a scare. Islamabad bowled a tight two overs in the end after being lackluster all evening. Sarfraz has had his first big heartbreak as leader - is this the game that brings doubt into an otherwise confident batting line-up? Or will they be happy it happened before the knockout stages? Who knows. Who knows anything, anymore? Not me, that's for sure. But I will try to give it another shot. Join me for the early game between Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandars. A huge fixture that. The result there will set the tone for the final qualification spots - of which two are remaining now.
For now, good night. And remember not to take out-of-the-box decisions for the next 12 hours. They can be lethal if they don't work out.
Misbah: Cricket is a funny game. When you think the game is over, this can happen. We were in the hunt. You never know when it's 5-6 in the last over, because all it takes is a couple of dot balls for the batsmen to try and go for the big one. Credit to Raees and Sami for bowling well. We were nowhere near the game till the 18th over. We're happy to win this and I think now we're on the way. Hussain Talat was also a big plus to us. He looked really good on debut.
Sarfraz: Didn't think this would happen. Sami bowled really well. That's cricket. It was our fault. We didn't take it easy but Sami bowled well. Out set batsmen fell and that's what put the pressure on us. We'll try to win and get the momentum into the play-offs in the next match.
Sami: Wasn't thinking too much, was hoping they make mistakes and a new batsman would come in. I worked out what to bowl - to hit the length because it was skidding on. Hopefully I'll have many more awards.
11.35pm Mohammad Sami is the Man of the Match.
Rahul: "If he clipped the stumps then that should be run out right? I'm sure would've ran for the second one o.O" --- He did not.
Ahad: "How important was that LBW decision against Pietersen in hindsight, game changer!"
Atif: "Great over by Sami but don't forget the second last over by Raees. @ runs and Sarfaraz's wicket."
Anisur Rahman: "Can't understand Sarfrazs thinking, why did he send a bowler (Anwar) instead of a jenuine batsman in Mahmudullah ? Just doesn't make sense"
Saaib Uppal: "149/1 and needing 17 runs off 19 balls, go on to lose the game! What a day of collapses!"
11.25pm Oh dear me. Complete brain implosion from Quetta in the end. 130 run partnership in a chase of 165, Mahmudullah in the hut, Perera in the hut, Nawaz in the hut and out came Anwar Ali. They will not forget this. That's a lesson in throwing a match away. Islamabad win by one run and they're through to the play-offs. Birthday boy Sami bowled that last over. He won't forget this either. I'll tell you who will, though - Anwar Ali, who conceded 51 off four overs and was thrust into a pressure situation for no reason. 2 off 5 for him. Gotta feel for him.