KARACHI: Lahore Qalandars produced a complete performance to defeat RawalPindiz by 32 runs in the 27th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at the National Bank Stadium here on Saturday.
After posting a formidable 210/4, the Qalandars’ pace attack choked the chase, restricting RawalPindiz to 178/9 in their 20 overs.
The defending champions get back to winning ways with a clinical triumph as Rawalpindiz’ search for a maiden win continues.#HBLPSL11 | #NewEra | #LQvRP pic.twitter.com/qePYxGBSTZ
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) April 18, 2026
Fakhar and Farooq set up mammoth total
Batting first, Lahore Qalandars rode on a breathtaking 121-run opening stand between Fakhar Zaman (84 off 54 balls) and Mohammad Farooq (63 off 41 balls). Fakhar struck 11 fours and a six, while Farooq smashed five maximums. Abdullah Shafique added a brisk 26, and Asif Ali provided a late explosion with an unbeaten 14 off just 6 balls, including two towering sixes. Mohammad Amir (2/25) and Razaullah (2/45) were the only wicket-takers for Rawalpindiz.
Early wobble for RawalPindiz
Chasing 211, Rawalpindiz suffered a disastrous start. Shaheen Shah Afridi struck twice in quick succession, removing Shahzaib Khan (7) and captain Mohammad Rizwan (9) inside the first three overs, leaving the score at 17/2.
Saad Masood brings up the second fastest half-century of #HBLPSL11 👏#NewEra | #LQvRP pic.twitter.com/hJIZYt1TVY
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) April 18, 2026
Yasir Khan, Saad Masood fight back
Yasir Khan played a counter-attacking knock of 58 off 29 balls (6 fours, 3 sixes), adding 71 runs with Daryl Mitchell (11) for the third wicket. However, Haris Rauf broke the stand by dismissing Mitchell, and then removed the dangerous Yasir Khan in the same over to shift momentum back to Lahore.
Lower down, Saad Masood smashed a valiant 54 off just 26 balls (9 fours, 1 six), but the required run rate had climbed too high. Rauf returned to claim his third wicket, ending Saad’s resistance in the 20th over.
📸from #LQvRP second innings#HBLPSL11 | #NewEra | #LQvRP pic.twitter.com/CBUzIlhWz6
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) April 18, 2026
Bowlers deliver for Lahore
Haris Rauf finished with excellent figures of 3/43 from his four overs, while Shaheen Shah Afridi took 2/19. Spinners Usama Mir (2/29) and Sikandar Raza (1/24) kept the pressure in the middle overs, ensuring Rawalpindiz never recovered from the early blows. Mohammad Amir remained unbeaten on 4, but his efforts with the bat came too late.
Brief Scores: Lahore Qalandars 210/4 (Fakhar 84, Farooq 63; Amir 2/25) beat Rawalpindiz 178/9 (Yasir 58, Saad 54; Haris Rauf 3/43, Shaheen 2/19) by 32 runs.
