It took them nine games, but Rawalpindiz finally got themselves on the board at PSL 2026, winning their first points this season. They took advantage of a lacklustre performance from local rivals Islamabad United, bowling them out for 137 with a disciplined effort, particularly from Mohammad Amir, and, before he got himself injured again, Naseem Shah. The chase, while unconvincing, was straightforward enough, with Mohammad Rizwan‘s laboured 45, along with similar contributions from Kamran Ghulam and Daryl Mitchell, making sure they dragged themselves to the finish line.

United need just a win to seal qualification, but they significantly reduced the chances of getting it today with a shocking start. Amir, Naseem and Asif Afridi were among the wickets as United posted just 30 in the powerplay, their lowest this year, and began the next phase by losing Shadab Khan for the scoreline to read 30 for 3. There was no recovery of any note during the middle as Mark Chapman, Haider Ali and everyone that followed just shuffling along without the asking rate picking up.

They only built up momentum when, deprived of Naseem’s bowling services, Rizwan had to turn to two makeshift options at the death. Chris Green took full advantage, with Mitchell and Dian Forrester conceding 27 in those two, as Green’s 16-ball 29 became the innings’ most consequential knock. That sense of momentum further extended when Imad Wasim had Abdullah Fazal cue-end the first ball of the chase to draw immediate blood.

But this was a chase consistent with Rawalpindiz’ batters level this season, and they were happy to play to it. Rizwan and Ghulam are not the most belligerent batters, but had the smarts to know they didn’t need to be. They strung together a 78-run partnership in 56 balls, taking the pep out of the United attack as they quietly bore down on that modest target.

This is Rawalpindiz, after all, and victory did not come without its scares. Green and Shadab got rid of the duo within 14 runs of each other, and there was a whiff of bad fortune as Sam Billings failed to back up to a straight drive in time and Shadab got fingertips to the ball and sent the Englishman on his way.

However, Mitchell and Forrester managed to calm things down, and finally put the game out of United’s reach in the 17th over. Mitchell dispatched Richard Gleeson for a six and a four, with a few extras thrown in for good measure. The 17 that came off it reduced the target to 12 in 18, which Rawalpindiz comfortably ran down to avoid the ignominious fate of becoming the first PSL side with nine successive losses in one season.