Table of Contents
The Quetta Gladiators vs Islamabad United timeline is one of the most competitive head-to-head stories in Pakistan Super League (PSL) history. Since the inaugural PSL season in 2016, the two franchises have met repeatedly in league matches and high-pressure knockout games, producing close finishes, big batting performances, dramatic chases and memorable playoff encounters.
The rivalry began in February 2016, when Quetta Gladiators defeated Islamabad United in their first meeting. Later that season, however, Islamabad United turned the tables in the inaugural PSL final, beating Quetta by six wickets to become the competition’s first champions.
As of the latest completed meeting on 2 April 2026, the teams have played 23 PSL matches, with Quetta Gladiators winning 12 and Islamabad United winning 11. One scheduled meeting was abandoned, according to the Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians’ progressive head-to-head record.
Quetta Gladiators Vs Islamabad United Timeline: Match History
| Year | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | League match | Quetta Gladiators won by 8 wickets |
| 2016 | League match | Quetta Gladiators won by 7 wickets |
| 2016 | PSL Final | Islamabad United won by 6 wickets |
| 2017 | League match | Islamabad United won by 5 wickets |
| 2017 | League match | Islamabad United won by 1 run |
| 2018 | League match | Quetta Gladiators won by 6 wickets |
| 2018 | League match | Islamabad United won by 6 wickets |
| 2019 | League match | Quetta Gladiators won by 7 wickets |
| 2019 | League match | Quetta Gladiators won by 43 runs |
| 2020 | League match | Quetta Gladiators won by 3 wickets |
| 2020 | League match | Quetta Gladiators won by 5 wickets |
| 2021 | League match | Islamabad United won by 6 wickets |
| 2021 | League match | Islamabad United won by 10 wickets |
| 2022 | League match | Islamabad United won by 43 runs |
| 2022 | League match | Quetta Gladiators won by 5 wickets |
| 2023 | League match | Islamabad United won by 63 runs |
| 2023 | League match | Islamabad United won by 2 wickets |
| 2024 | League match | Quetta Gladiators won by 3 wickets |
| 2024 | Eliminator 1 | Islamabad United won by 39 runs |
| 2025 | League match | Quetta Gladiators won by 2 wickets |
| 2025 | League match | Quetta Gladiators won by 109 runs |
| 2025 | Qualifier 1 | Quetta Gladiators won by 30 runs |
| 2026 | League match | Islamabad United won by 8 wickets |
The historical results show how frequently the momentum has shifted between the two sides.
2016: The Rivalry Begins
The first chapter of the Quetta Gladiators vs Islamabad United rivalry was written during the inaugural PSL season.
Quetta won the first meeting by eight wickets, establishing an early advantage. The teams met again during the league stage, with Quetta also winning that contest by seven wickets.
However, the most important meeting came in the final.
On 23 February 2016, Quetta Gladiators posted 174/7 in the PSL final in Dubai. Ahmed Shehzad scored 64 and Kumar Sangakkara made 55, giving Quetta a competitive total.
Islamabad United successfully chased the target, reaching 175/4 in 18.4 overs and winning by six wickets. Dwayne Smith scored 73 from 51 balls and Brad Haddin remained unbeaten on 61. Smith was named Player of the Match.
This victory made Islamabad United the first PSL champions.
2017: Islamabad United Takes Control
The rivalry became even tighter in 2017.
Islamabad United won the first meeting by five wickets, chasing Quetta’s 148/6 with five wickets remaining. The second encounter was even closer.
On 24 February 2017, Islamabad United scored 165/6 while Quetta Gladiators replied with 164/5. Islamabad won by just one run, making it one of the closest finishes in the history of their rivalry.
The two matches gave Islamabad a 2–0 season advantage over Quetta.
2018: The Teams Split the Meetings
The 2018 PSL season produced another balanced chapter.
Quetta Gladiators won the first encounter by six wickets, chasing Islamabad United’s 134/7 with 17.1 overs played.
Islamabad responded in the second meeting. Quetta made 147/7, but Islamabad reached 149/4 in 18.2 overs to win by six wickets.
The season ended with the head-to-head score level at 1–1.
2019: Quetta Gladiators Dominate
The 2019 season marked an important shift in the rivalry.
Quetta defeated Islamabad by seven wickets in their first meeting. The Gladiators then produced another convincing victory later in the tournament, winning by 43 runs.
Quetta’s performances that season were particularly significant because the franchise eventually went on to win its maiden PSL title. The 2019 campaign therefore represented one of the strongest periods for Quetta in the rivalry.
2020: Quetta Wins Both Matches Again
Quetta Gladiators continued their dominance in the 2020 season.
The first match on 20 February 2020 produced a high-scoring contest. Islamabad United scored 168 before being bowled out, while Quetta reached 171/7 to win by three wickets.
The teams met again on 27 February. Islamabad scored 187/7, but Quetta successfully chased the target by reaching 190/5 in 19.4 overs. The Gladiators won by five wickets.
Quetta therefore won both meetings for a second consecutive season.
2021: Islamabad United Responds
The momentum changed dramatically in 2021.
Islamabad United won both meetings against Quetta Gladiators. In the first match, Islamabad chased Quetta’s 156/7 and reached 157/4 to win by six wickets.
The second meeting was even more dominant. Quetta were dismissed for 133, after which Islamabad United raced to 137 without losing a wicket in only 10 overs. Islamabad won by 10 wickets.
The two victories gave Islamabad a clean sweep in the 2021 head-to-head.
2022: Another Split Season
The 2022 PSL season again produced one win apiece.
On 3 February 2022, Islamabad United posted a huge 229/4, with Shadab Khan taking five wickets as Quetta were bowled out for 186. Islamabad won by 43 runs. The Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians lists 229/4 as Islamabad’s highest team total against Quetta in the rivalry.
Quetta responded in the next meeting on 12 February. Islamabad scored 199/8, but Quetta chased the target with 203/5 to win by five wickets.
2023: Islamabad United Wins Both Meetings
Islamabad again enjoyed a perfect season against Quetta in 2023.
In the first match, Islamabad United scored 220/6 and dismissed Quetta for 157. The result was a 63-run victory.
The second meeting was much closer. Islamabad made 183/8, while Quetta replied with 179/6. Islamabad therefore won by only two wickets.
The contrasting margins demonstrated the two sides’ ability to produce both one-sided and closely contested matches.
2024: Quetta Wins in the League, Islamabad Wins the Eliminator
The 2024 season featured two highly significant matches.
On 22 February 2024, Quetta Gladiators faced Islamabad United at Gaddafi Stadium. Islamabad made 138/9, but Quetta reached 139/7 to win by three wickets.
The teams met again in Eliminator 1 on 15 March 2024.
Islamabad United scored 174/9, with Martin Guptill making 56 and Shadab Khan contributing 23. Quetta were then bowled out for 135, giving Islamabad a 39-run victory and ending Quetta’s campaign. Imad Wasim was named Player of the Match.
This knockout encounter added another important playoff chapter to the rivalry.
2025: Quetta Gladiators’ Strongest Recent Run
The 2025 season was one of the most impressive periods for Quetta in this head-to-head.
The teams first met on 3 May 2025 at Gaddafi Stadium. Islamabad scored 157/9, but Quetta chased the target in 19.5 overs, finishing on 159/8 and winning by two wickets.
Hasan Nawaz played the decisive innings, remaining unbeaten on 64 from 41 balls. Faheem Ashraf also produced an important bowling performance, taking 4/25.
The second meeting was even more one-sided.
On 7 May 2025, Quetta scored a massive 263/3 and dismissed Islamabad for 154. Quetta won by 109 runs, one of the biggest margins in this rivalry.
The teams then met in Qualifier 1 on 21 May 2025. Quetta scored 209/6 and bowled Islamabad out for 179, winning by 30 runs. Faheem Ashraf scored 45 from 23 balls and took two wickets, earning Player of the Match honors.
Quetta therefore won all three completed meetings against Islamabad during the 2025 PSL season.
2026: Islamabad United Ends Quetta’s Winning Run
The latest completed meeting in the timeline took place on 2 April 2026 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Quetta Gladiators batted first and posted 183/5. Hasan Nawaz produced an unbeaten 66 from 36 balls, while Tom Curran added 29 not out from 22 balls.
Islamabad United responded strongly.
Teenage opener Sameer Minhas scored an unbeaten 82 from 48 balls, while captain Shadab Khan made an unbeaten 69. Shadab had earlier taken 3/23 with the ball.
Islamabad reached 189/2 in 18.2 overs, winning by eight wickets with 10 balls remaining. Shadab was named Player of the Match.
The result also meant Islamabad stopped Quetta’s three-match winning streak against them from the 2025 season.
Quetta Gladiators Vs Islamabad United Head-to-Head Record
According to the progressive PSL team-v-team record, the franchises had played 23 matches through 2 April 2026.
| Head-to-head statistic | Record |
|---|---|
| Total matches | 23 |
| Quetta Gladiators wins | 12 |
| Islamabad United wins | 11 |
| Ties | 0 |
| No results | 0 |
| Abandoned matches | 1 |
The overall record remains extremely close, with Quetta holding a one-match advantage in wins.
Biggest Quetta Gladiators Wins Against Islamabad United
Quetta have produced several substantial victories over Islamabad.
| Season | Result | Margin |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Quetta 263/3 vs Islamabad 154 | 109 runs |
| 2019 | Quetta 180/9 vs Islamabad 137/9 | 43 runs |
| 2020 | Quetta 190/5 vs Islamabad 187/7 | 5 wickets |
| 2020 | Quetta 171/7 vs Islamabad 168 all out | 3 wickets |
| 2016 | Quetta 118/3 vs Islamabad 117 all out | 7 wickets |
The 109-run victory in 2025 stands out as Quetta’s biggest winning margin against Islamabad in the recorded PSL head-to-head.
Biggest Islamabad United Wins Against Quetta Gladiators
Islamabad have also recorded several major victories.
| Season | Result | Margin |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Islamabad 174/9 vs Quetta 135 | 39 runs |
| 2023 | Islamabad 220/6 vs Quetta 157 | 63 runs |
| 2022 | Islamabad 229/4 vs Quetta 186 | 43 runs |
| 2021 | Islamabad 137/0 vs Quetta 133 | 10 wickets |
| 2017 | Islamabad 165/6 vs Quetta 164/5 | 1 run |
The 2021 ten-wicket victory was especially emphatic, while the one-run win in 2017 remains one of the closest finishes between the franchises.
Memorable Players in the Quetta vs Islamabad Rivalry
Several major PSL players have played important roles in this matchup.
Dwayne Smith: Smith produced one of the most memorable performances in the rivalry during the 2016 PSL final. His 73 from 51 balls helped Islamabad chase 175 and win the inaugural title.
Brad Haddin: Haddin supported Smith with an unbeaten 61 in the same final and helped Islamabad complete the chase.
Shadab Khan: Shadab has repeatedly influenced this matchup with both bat and ball. In the 2026 meeting, he took 3/23 and followed it with an unbeaten 69.
Hasan Nawaz: Hasan was central to Quetta’s 2025 success against Islamabad, including an unbeaten 64 in the two-wicket victory on 3 May.
Faheem Ashraf: Faheem played major roles for Quetta during the 2025 rivalry, including 4/25 against Islamabad and a 45-run contribution in the 30-run Qualifier 1 victory.
Quetta Gladiators Vs Islamabad United Timeline: Key Turning Points
The rivalry can be divided into several distinct phases.
| Period | Head-to-head trend |
|---|---|
| 2016 | Quetta dominated league meetings, Islamabad won the final |
| 2017 | Islamabad won both |
| 2018 | One win each |
| 2019–2020 | Quetta dominated |
| 2021 | Islamabad won both |
| 2022 | One win each |
| 2023 | Islamabad won both |
| 2024 | One win each |
| 2025 | Quetta won all three |
| 2026 | Islamabad won the latest meeting |
This changing balance is one reason the matchup has remained competitive across PSL seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United first play each other?
Their first PSL meeting took place during the inaugural 2016 season. Quetta Gladiators won that match by eight wickets.
Who won the first Quetta Gladiators vs Islamabad United PSL final?
Islamabad United won the 2016 PSL final by six wickets after chasing Quetta’s 174/7.
How many times have Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United played each other?
They had played 23 matches in the PSL head-to-head record through 2 April 2026, with Quetta winning 12 and Islamabad winning 11. One match was abandoned.
Who has won more matches between Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United?
As of the latest completed meeting in April 2026, Quetta Gladiators have one more win than Islamabad United, leading the head-to-head 12–11.
What was Quetta Gladiators’ biggest win over Islamabad United?
Quetta’s biggest recorded victory came in May 2025, when they scored 263/3 and defeated Islamabad United by 109 runs.
What was Islamabad United’s biggest win over Quetta Gladiators?
Among the largest margins, Islamabad defeated Quetta by 63 runs in 2023 after scoring 220/6 and restricting Quetta to 157.
When was the latest Quetta Gladiators vs Islamabad United match?
The latest completed meeting was on 2 April 2026 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Islamabad United won by eight wickets after chasing Quetta’s 183/5.
Conclusion
The Quetta Gladiators vs Islamabad United timeline reflects the competitive nature of the Pakistan Super League. From Quetta’s early wins in 2016 to Islamabad United’s historic inaugural PSL final victory, followed by periods of dominance from both franchises, the matchup has repeatedly produced important moments.
Quetta enjoyed particularly strong periods in 2019–20 and 2025, while Islamabad produced strong runs in 2017, 2021 and 2023. The 2024 season was split between the teams, and Islamabad’s eight-wicket victory in April 2026 added another chapter to an already closely balanced rivalry.
With 23 meetings and only one win separating the sides, the historical record shows just how competitive the Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United matchup has been throughout PSL history.
