RAWALPINDI: Lahore Qalandars posted a formidable total of 219 for 6 against Quetta Gladiators in Match 4 of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025, thanks to half-centuries from Fakhar Zaman and Sam Billings, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Put into bat, Lahore made a shaky start, losing opener Mohammad Naeem for just 10, bowled by Abrar Ahmed in the third over.
However, Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique stabilised the innings with an attacking 56-run stand for the second wicket, countering the Gladiators’ new-ball bowlers with a flurry of boundaries.
Shafique, who looked in fine touch following his strong performance in the previous match, scored a brisk 37 off 21 deliveries before falling to Akeal Hosein.
Fakhar carried on with aggressive intent, reaching his 20th PSL half-century, as he anchored the innings while Daryl Mitchell played the supporting role.
Mitchell started slowly but rotated the strike efficiently and added key boundaries to his 37-run contribution.
Together, Fakhar and Mitchell added 80 runs for the third wicket, propelling Qalandars beyond the 150-run mark by the 15th over.
Abrar returned to dismiss Mitchell, and soon after, Fakhar’s entertaining innings came to an end. He departed for a well-made 67 off 39 balls, hitting seven fours and three sixes.
Quetta briefly managed to slow down the scoring rate with wickets falling at regular intervals.
Sikandar Raza fell cheaply for six, and captain Shaheen Afridi managed just seven. But Sam Billings unleashed a late-innings blitz, scoring an unbeaten 50 off just 19 deliveries.
His assault in the death overs, including four sixes and four boundaries, ensured Lahore crossed the 200-run mark comfortably.
The Qalandars plundered 61 runs off the final five overs, with 51 of those coming in the last three.
Billings took on pacers Amir and Faheem Ashraf with ease, turning what could have been a modest finish into a commanding total.
Among Quetta’s bowlers, Abrar Ahmed (2 for 33) and Akeal Hosein (2 for 39) were the most successful, while Faheem Ashraf and Usman Tariq picked up a wicket each.
Despite their efforts, the Gladiators were left facing a daunting chase of 220.
Lahore Qalandars Playing XI
Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Naeem, Abdullah Shafique, Daryl Mitchell, Sam Billings (wk), Sikandar Raza, ahandad Khan, Rishad Hossain, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Asif Afridi
Quetta Gladiators Playing XI
Saud Shakeel (c), Finn Allen, Hasan Nawaz, Kusal Mendis (wk), Rilee Rossouw, Shoaib Malik, Faheem Ashraf, Akeal Hosein, Mohammad Amir, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq
