HBL Pakistan Super League: Victory eludes Gladiators again as United win by two wickets.

RAWALPINDI -- ThrougAhout the match, it seemed like victory, which has eluded Quetta Gladiators for most part of their HBL Pakistan Super League campaign, was flirting with them again.

Against Islamabad United here at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday, the Gladiators would have hoped again when Mohammad Nawaz - whose crucial contribution with the bat had helped them give the hosts a target of 180 to chase - destructed Asif Ali stumps in the 12th over and restricted United to just 17 runs in the next three.

But with 40 needed off the last four overs for United to win, the Gladiators saw the game slipping away from their hands once again, as Faheem Ashraf and Azam Khan got two quick boundaries.

Azam, who played finisher in the previous match against Karachi Kings, effectively buried the game when he thrashed Naveen-ul-Haq straight down the ground for four more before lifting the pacer over long on for six.

Azam (35 off 25) lost his wicket when he found Yasir in the deep after clubbing medium-pacer Umaid Asif for six more before the incoming Hasan Ali holed the veteran pacer out to Smith at long-on.

The two quick dismissals gave the Gladiators another sniff, only for Faheem (39 not out off 31) to find three boundaries off Odean Smith in the final over as United took the game by two wickets.

The result pushed Gladiators further away from a chance to make it to the playoffs with just one win in seven matches, while United consolidated their position in the second place behind leaders Lahore Qalandars.

With the wicket offering movement and bounce, the Gladiators hurt United early when Naseem Shah hit Rahmanullah Gurbaz's pads for the opener to get ruled out lbw following a review.

Colin Munro got United going with a straight six and a four over the covers off Smith before a leg-bye flew away for four more.

United got 18 runs with Umaid's introduction in the fourth over as Munro and Alex Hales cleared long-on and square-leg respectively for sixes before Naveen got Hales caught at cover.

Naveen was punished for bowling a no-ball when Shadab Khan heaved him over long-on on the following free hit. Munro stole two more boundaries off Smith in the sixth over as United posted 77-2 by the end of the powerplay.

Munro brought up his fifty with a huge six off Iftikhar Ahmed in the next over before cutting the off-spinner for four more and launching him for another maximum.

Iftikhar finished his over with Shadab's wicket as the United captain found Yasir...