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Quetta Gladiators vs Islamabad United Timeline: Complete PSL History, Results and Rivalry
Table of Contents
The Quetta Gladiators vs Islamabad United timeline is one of the most competitive head-to-head stories in Pakistan Super League history. Since the inaugural PSL season in 2016, the two franchises have produced close finishes, high-scoring games, playoff battles and memorable individual performances.
Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United have met repeatedly in the PSL, with the overall rivalry remaining extremely close. Through their completed meetings up to April 2026, Quetta have 12 wins while Islamabad have 11. Their history also includes an abandoned fixture.
The rivalry became particularly intense in 2025, when Quetta defeated Islamabad three times in the same PSL season, including a 30-run victory in Qualifier 1. Islamabad then bounced back in 2026 by defeating Quetta by eight wickets.
Contents Overview
- Beginning of the rivalry in 2016
- 2016 PSL meetings
- 2017 and 2018 results
- 2019 and 2020 rivalry
- 2021 season
- 2022 high-scoring matches
- 2023 encounters
- 2024 playoff battle
- 2025 Quetta dominance
- 2026 Islamabad comeback
- Head-to-head record
- Highest scores and important performances
- Key rivalry moments
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
2016: The Rivalry Begins
Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United first met during the inaugural Pakistan Super League in 2016. Both franchises quickly established themselves as competitive teams, and their early meetings helped create the foundation for the rivalry.
The teams met three times during the 2016 campaign. Quetta won two of those encounters, while Islamabad won one.
One of Quetta’s victories came by seven wickets, while another was an eight-wicket victory. Islamabad’s success came by six wickets. These results immediately showed that the matchup could produce different types of games, from comfortable chases to competitive contests.
2016 Results
| Match | Winner | Result |
|---|---|---|
| PSL 2016 | Islamabad United | Won by 6 wickets |
| PSL 2016 | Quetta Gladiators | Won by 7 wickets |
| PSL 2016 | Quetta Gladiators | Won by 8 wickets |
Quetta therefore finished the first season with a 2-1 advantage in the head-to-head record.
2017: Islamabad United Take Control
The 2017 PSL season produced two meetings between the sides, and Islamabad United won both.
Islamabad first defeated Quetta by five wickets, completing the chase with five balls remaining. The second meeting was even closer, with Islamabad winning by just one run.
That one-run victory became one of the early defining moments in the rivalry because it demonstrated how small the margin could be between the two teams.
By the end of the 2017 season, Islamabad had narrowed Quetta’s early advantage.
2018: One Win Each
The 2018 season again produced two meetings.
Quetta won the first match by six wickets, successfully chasing Islamabad’s total with 17 balls remaining. Islamabad responded in the other fixture by winning by six wickets, with 10 balls remaining.
The teams therefore finished the season level at one win apiece.
This period established a pattern that would continue throughout the PSL: neither side was able to maintain complete dominance over the other for a long period.
2019: Quetta Gladiators Gain the Advantage
The rivalry moved strongly in Quetta’s direction during the 2019 season.
Quetta won both of their matches against Islamabad. The first victory came by seven wickets after a successful chase. The second was a much larger 43-run victory.
The 43-run result was especially impressive because Quetta posted 180/9 before restricting Islamabad to 137/9.
Quetta’s two victories strengthened their overall advantage and showed that the Gladiators could beat Islamabad both while chasing and defending a total.
2020: Another Quetta Double
Quetta continued their excellent record against Islamabad in 2020.
The two teams met twice, with Quetta winning both matches. The first ended with Quetta winning by three wickets, while the second was another successful chase as the Gladiators won by five wickets with two balls remaining.
These results meant Quetta had developed a strong head-to-head advantage over Islamabad after several seasons of competition.
The 2020 matches also reflected Quetta’s ability to perform effectively under pressure while chasing targets.
2021: Islamabad United Respond
Islamabad United produced a strong response in 2021.
The teams met in March, with Islamabad winning by six wickets. Later in the season, Islamabad defeated Quetta by 10 wickets in Abu Dhabi.
The second result was particularly emphatic. Quetta were dismissed for 133, while Islamabad raced to 137/0 in only 10 overs.
The two wins helped Islamabad close the gap in the overall rivalry.
The season also included an abandoned meeting, adding another unusual chapter to the head-to-head history.
2022: High-Scoring PSL Encounters
The 2022 season featured two contrasting matches between the teams.
In the first meeting, Islamabad United posted 229/4. Quetta were bowled out for 186, giving Islamabad a 43-run victory.
The second meeting produced a completely different result. Quetta scored 203/5 and successfully chased Islamabad’s 199/8, winning by five wickets with two balls remaining.
The first match remains particularly significant because Islamabad’s 229/4 was the franchise’s highest score against Quetta in their head-to-head history according to historical records.
2023: Islamabad United Win Both Meetings
Islamabad dominated the 2023 season against Quetta.
The first match took place in Karachi, where Islamabad scored 220/6 and dismissed Quetta for 157. Islamabad won by 63 runs.
The second meeting was much closer. Islamabad made 183/8, and Quetta responded with 179/6. Islamabad therefore won by only two wickets.
2023 Results
| Match | Islamabad United | Quetta Gladiators | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 24 | 220/6 | 157 all out | Islamabad won by 63 runs |
| March 5 | 183/8 | 179/6 | Islamabad won by 2 wickets |
The 2023 season was an important turning point because Islamabad managed to defeat Quetta twice.
2024: Quetta Win a Thriller, Islamabad Win the Eliminator
The 2024 season delivered two completed meetings between the franchises, plus a fixture that was abandoned.
The first completed game took place on February 22. Quetta scored 139/7 and Islamabad reached 138/9. Quetta therefore won by three wickets in a very close contest.
The second major meeting came in the Eliminator on March 15. Islamabad produced a much stronger performance, scoring 174/9 before dismissing Quetta for 135.
Islamabad won by 39 runs and eliminated Quetta from the playoffs.
2024 Key Results
| Date | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|
| February 22, 2024 | Quetta Gladiators | 3 wickets |
| March 15, 2024 | Islamabad United | 39 runs |
| Other scheduled meeting | Abandoned | No result |
The playoff encounter was especially important because it came under knockout pressure rather than during the regular league stage.
2025: Quetta Gladiators Dominate the Rivalry
The 2025 PSL season became one of the strongest years in Quetta Gladiators’ head-to-head history against Islamabad United.
Quetta defeated Islamabad in all three meetings.
The first encounter came on May 3. Islamabad scored 157/9, but Quetta chased the target and reached 159/8 in 19.5 overs to win by two wickets. Hasan Nawaz scored an unbeaten 64 from 41 balls and was named Player of the Match. Faheem Ashraf also played a major role with four wickets for 25 runs.
Just four days later, the teams met again at Rawalpindi. Quetta produced a spectacular batting performance, scoring 263/3. Islamabad were dismissed for 154, giving Quetta a massive 109-run victory.
Quetta then defeated Islamabad for a third time in Qualifier 1 on May 21.
The Gladiators scored 209/6 and dismissed Islamabad for 179 in 19.4 overs, winning by 30 runs and qualifying for the PSL final. Faheem Ashraf’s all-round performance was central to the victory.
2025 Results
| Date | Winner | Result |
|---|---|---|
| May 3 | Quetta Gladiators | Won by 2 wickets |
| May 7 | Quetta Gladiators | Won by 109 runs |
| May 21 | Quetta Gladiators | Won by 30 runs |
The three-match sweep was one of the most dominant seasons either team had enjoyed against the other.
2026: Islamabad United Bounce Back
The most recent completed meeting in the rivalry came on April 2, 2026, at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Quetta Gladiators batted first and scored 183/5 in 20 overs. Islamabad United responded with 189/2 in only 18.2 overs and won by eight wickets with 10 balls remaining.
Sameer Minhas produced an unbeaten 82, while Shadab Khan remained unbeaten on 69. Shadab also made a major contribution with the ball, taking three wickets for 23 runs.
The result was an important response from Islamabad after Quetta had beaten them three times in 2025.
Quetta Gladiators vs Islamabad United Head-to-Head Record
The overall rivalry remains extremely close.
Historical records through April 2026 show 23 completed meetings, with Quetta Gladiators holding a narrow 12-11 advantage in wins. There has also been an abandoned fixture in the rivalry.
Overall Head-to-Head
| Category | Quetta Gladiators | Islamabad United |
|---|---|---|
| Wins | 12 | 11 |
| Completed meetings | – | – |
| Highest score | 263 | 229 |
| Lowest all-out score | 118* | 117 |
| Most recent result | Lost | Won |
Quetta’s highest score against Islamabad is 263/3, achieved in May 2025. Islamabad’s highest score is 229/4, recorded during the 2022 season.
Season-by-Season Timeline
| Season | Quetta Wins | Islamabad Wins | Key Story |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 2 | 1 | Rivalry begins |
| 2017 | 0 | 2 | Islamabad win both |
| 2018 | 1 | 1 | One win each |
| 2019 | 2 | 0 | Quetta sweep |
| 2020 | 2 | 0 | Quetta sweep |
| 2021 | 0 | 2 | Islamabad respond |
| 2022 | 1 | 1 | High-scoring season |
| 2023 | 0 | 2 | Islamabad dominate |
| 2024 | 1 | 1 | Playoff battle |
| 2025 | 3 | 0 | Quetta dominate |
| 2026 | 0 | 1 | Islamabad bounce back |
The season-by-season record demonstrates why this is considered one of the more competitive PSL rivalries. Neither team has maintained permanent control over the matchup.
Highest Team Scores
The rivalry has produced some exceptional batting totals.
Quetta’s highest total against Islamabad came in the May 7, 2025 meeting. The Gladiators scored 263/3, their biggest total against United, before bowling Islamabad out for 154.
Islamabad’s highest total against Quetta was 229/4 during the 2022 season. Although Islamabad produced an excellent batting performance, Quetta were unable to match the target and lost by 43 runs.
Highest Scores
| Team | Highest Score | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Quetta Gladiators | 263/3 | 2025 |
| Islamabad United | 229/4 | 2022 |
These figures highlight the attacking nature of the rivalry, particularly in recent PSL seasons.
Closest Matches in the Rivalry
Some of the most memorable matches have been decided by very small margins.
Islamabad defeated Quetta by one run in 2017, making it one of the closest finishes in the history of the matchup.
The 2022 contest was also extremely close, with Quetta successfully chasing 200 after Islamabad scored 199/8.
In 2025, Quetta defeated Islamabad by two wickets after reaching 159/8 in 19.5 overs. Hasan Nawaz’s unbeaten 64 proved decisive in that match.
These results demonstrate that the rivalry frequently goes down to the final overs.
Key Players in the Rivalry
Several players have made major contributions to Quetta vs Islamabad matches over the years.
For Islamabad, Azam Khan has recorded the highest individual innings for the franchise against Quetta, scoring 97. Islamabad’s historical records also list Colin Munro among the team’s leading run-scorers in the matchup.
For Quetta, the rivalry has featured players such as Rilee Rossouw, Jason Roy, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf and Hasan Nawaz at different stages.
The 2025 season particularly highlighted Faheem Ashraf and Hasan Nawaz. Faheem’s four-wicket haul helped Quetta defeat Islamabad in the May 3 meeting, while Hasan Nawaz’s unbeaten 64 completed the chase.
Why the Rivalry Is Important in PSL
The Quetta Gladiators vs Islamabad United rivalry is important because the teams have repeatedly challenged one another across different stages of the competition.
Some meetings have been ordinary league matches, while others have carried major playoff consequences. The 2024 Eliminator and 2025 Qualifier are especially important examples.
The rivalry has also evolved with the PSL. Different generations of players have represented both franchises, meaning the style and balance of the matchup has changed over time.
Despite those changes, the overall record remains remarkably close.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United first play each other?
Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United first met during the inaugural Pakistan Super League season in 2016. Their first season produced three meetings, with Quetta winning two and Islamabad winning one.
Who has won more matches between Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United?
Through their completed meetings up to April 2026, Quetta Gladiators have a narrow advantage with 12 wins compared with Islamabad United’s 11.
What is the highest score in Quetta Gladiators vs Islamabad United matches?
Quetta Gladiators’ highest score against Islamabad is 263/3, achieved in May 2025. Islamabad United’s highest total is 229/4, scored in 2022.
What happened in the 2025 Quetta Gladiators vs Islamabad United matches?
Quetta dominated all three meetings in 2025. They won by two wickets on May 3, by 109 runs on May 7 and by 30 runs in the Qualifier on May 21.
Who won the latest Quetta Gladiators vs Islamabad United match?
Islamabad United won the latest completed meeting on April 2, 2026. Islamabad chased Quetta’s 183/5 by scoring 189/2 in 18.2 overs and won by eight wickets.
Conclusion
The Quetta Gladiators vs Islamabad United timeline reflects one of the closest and most unpredictable rivalries in Pakistan Super League cricket. From their first meetings in 2016 through the latest contest in 2026, both franchises have enjoyed periods of dominance.
Quetta started strongly, Islamabad responded in 2017, Quetta controlled the rivalry in 2019 and 2020, and Islamabad regained momentum in 2021 and 2023. The 2025 season then belonged completely to Quetta, who defeated Islamabad three times, including a crucial Qualifier victory.
Islamabad’s eight-wicket victory in 2026 provided an important response and brought the overall rivalry even closer.
With only a narrow difference between their total wins, future Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United matches are likely to remain highly competitive and important fixtures on the PSL calendar.
