Sports Desk
LAHORE: Lahore Qalandars defeated Islamabad United by an astounding 110 runs in the 16th fixture of the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore today.
Opting to bat first, Lahore posted a massive target of 201-runs before bowling out Islamabad for 90 runs in 13.5 overs, thanks to a brilliant knock from Abdullah Shafique and a sensational bowling display from David Wiese and Sikandar Raza. In reply to the big total, apart from the opening stand of 41 runs between Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Colin Munro, Islamabad couldn’t form a partnership and failed to get going.
Zaman Khan gave Lahore a much-needed breakthrough after openers Colin Munro and Gurbaz (23) helped Islamabad make a good start.
Zaman delivered a slow short bowl that was mistimed by Gurbaz and Fakhar Zaman took a blinder to send the Afghan batter back to the pavilion.
Soon after Gurbaz’s departure, Shaheen introduced David Wiese, who got the better of Colin Munro, reducing Islamabad to 54-2.
The left-handed batter scored 18 runs off 14 balls.
In the next over, fiery pacer Haris Rauf struck as he sent Rassie van der Dussen (3) packing.
Wiese delivered again as he sent Islamabad’s skipper Shadab Khan (4) back to the pavilion after a successful review.
Islamabad kept losing wickets. In a bid to up the run rate, Asif Ali went for a six but ended up getting caught by Haris off Rashid Khan.
Wiese added to Islamabad’s miseries by trapping Azam Khan for an lbw. The wicket-keeper bat-ter, who scored 96 runs against Quetta Gladiators in their previous match, was sent packing af-ter he scored only four runs.
The wizard Rashid claimed his second of the evening by bowling out Tom Curran (10).
Hasan Ali, Abrar Ahmed, and Zeeshan Zameer were sent back inside the 14th over.
For Lahore, Wiese claimed three wickets, while Rashid and Raza took two scalps each. Zaman and Haris secured a wicket each.
Earlier, Lahore Qalandars set a 201-run target against Islamabad United.
Tahir Baig and Fakhar Zaman gave Lahore Qalandars a good start against Islamabad United. The two batters stitched a 58-run target for the first wicket.
However, Shadab Khan gave Islamabad a much-needed breakthrough as he bowled out Tahir after he scored 20 runs off 17 balls.
In the next over, Fakhar was dismissed by Tom Curran. The left-handed batter was trying to go for a bid shot, but the ball toppled the stums after an inside edge.
Nevertheless, the onslaught continued as Abdullah Shafique, and Sam Billings continued to hit boundaries.
Abdullah and Sam put on a magnificent 71-run partnership off just 38 balls. But Curran struck again and broke the crucial partnership as he dismissed Abdullah, who was caught by Rahman-ullah Gurbaz at midwicket.
The 23-year-old departed after scoring 45 runs off 24 balls, including four boundaries and two maximums.
Billings was the next batter to walk back as his compatriot got the better of him. The right-handed batter scored 33 runs off 23 balls.
Following Billings’ departure, David Weise (12) came to the crease but was sent packing by Abrar Ahmed.
Spinner Rashid Khan also played a crucial cameo of 18 runs, which included two boundaries and a six. But fell to Hasan Ali. Meanwhile, all-rounder Sikandar Raza gathered 23 runs off 10 balls.
Playing XIs
Lahore Qalandars: Fakhar Zaman, Tahir Baig, Abdullah Shafique, Sam Billings (wk), Hussain Talat, Sikandar Raza, David Wiese, Rashid Khan, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan
Islamabad United: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Colin Munro, Rassie van der Dussen, Shadab Khan (c), Azam Khan (wk), Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Tom Curran, Abrar Ahmed, Zeeshan Zameer, Hasan Ali
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