Sameer Minhas announced himself as one of Pakistan Super League 2026’s most exciting young talents with a blistering 70 off 36 balls, powering Islamabad United to a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Rawalpindiz at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.
The 19-year-old opener’s commanding display helped United chase down a target of 157 with nearly six overs to spare, handing Rawalpindiz their third consecutive defeat to open their PSL 2026 campaign.
The result further deepens concerns about Rawalpindi, who are yet to find their footing in the tournament. For their captain Mohammad Rizwan, the loss extended a troubling record as skipper. This was his 13th defeat in 14 PSL matches as captain, a run that stretches back to last year’s final and shows no sign of improving.
How the powerplay decided the match
The game’s outcome was largely determined within the first six overs of each innings, where the contrast between the two sides was stark. Rawalpindiz managed only 35 for 2 during their power play, a cautious and disrupted start that they were never able to recover from fully. Islamabad, by comparison, raced to 62 for 1 in theirs, setting the tone for what became a one-sided chase.
The early damage to Rawalpindiz’s innings was done by Richard Gleeson, who made the ball move both ways under lights and removed both Yasir Khan and Mohammad Rizwan cheaply, leaving the hosts reeling at 15 for 2 after just four overs. Imad Wasim complemented Gleeson well from the other end, maintaining tight lines and adding to the pressure on a top order already in disarray.
Kamran Ghulam offered some resistance with a fighting half-century off 36 balls and threatened to steer Rawalpindiz toward a more competitive total. However, the middle order could not build on his effort, and wickets continued to fall at crucial moments. It was only debutant Dian Forrester’s late cameo, an explosive 22 runs off the final over, that helped Rawalpindiz reach 156 for 7. Without that contribution, the total would have been even more modest.
SUGGESTED READ: PSL 2026: Karachi Kings Defeat Rawalpindiz by 5 Wickets in Lahore
Minhas takes control from the first ball
When Islamabad came out to bat, Minhas wasted no time. He dominated the 58-run opening partnership with Devon Conway, personally contributing 47 of those runs while Conway struggled to find his timing at the other end. From the outset, Minhas batted with the authority and composure of a far more experienced player, taking the attack to the Rawalpindiz bowlers rather than waiting for the game to settle.
One moment stood out above the rest. In the third over, Minhas picked up Mohammad Amir’s short-pitched delivery and pulled it for six with remarkable ease, a stroke that encapsulated the fearlessness he brought to the innings throughout.
This was not a one-off performance. Minhas’s 70 followed his unbeaten 82 against Quetta Gladiators in the previous match, making it back-to-back match-winning contributions for the teenager. Across two games, he has been Islamabad’s most decisive batter and arguably the standout performer of PSL 2026 so far.
United finish the job comfortably
Even after Minhas departed in the ninth over, Islamabad were never under any real pressure. Haider Ali, who finished unbeaten on 26 off 16 balls, and Mark Chapman, who contributed 24 off just 7 deliveries, wrapped up the chase with the kind of composure that speaks to a side playing with considerable confidence. The win was completed with 35 balls remaining, underlining just how thoroughly Islamabad controlled the match from start to finish.
ALSO READ: PSL 2026: Islamabad United beat Quetta Gladiators by 8 wickets
Rawalpindiz facing difficult questions
For Rawalpindiz, three losses from three matches has placed them in a precarious position early in the tournament. Beyond the results themselves, the questions around Rizwan’s captaincy are growing louder. Thirteen defeats in fourteen matches as PSL captain is a record that is difficult to defend, and the manner of their latest loss, dominated in both powerplays and rarely competitive at any stage, offers little by way of encouragement.
The team will need to regroup quickly if they are to salvage their campaign. With Islamabad United’s young players firing and their experienced campaigners contributing at key moments, Rizwan and his side face an uphill task in the matches ahead.
Islamabad, meanwhile, are shaping up as genuine title contenders. Their bowling is disciplined, their chase batting is aggressive, and in Minhas they have a player who looks capable of winning matches on his own. At 19, his ceiling remains unknown, and PSL 2026 is fast becoming the platform on which he is making his reputation.
Follow JeetWin Sports for all cricket news, updates, match highlights, and more.
