RAWALPINDI: Lahore Qalandars secured their first win of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10 with a dominant 79-run victory over Quetta Gladiators in the fourth match of the tournament at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Batting first, Lahore Qalandars posted an imposing total of 219-6, powered by Fakhar Zaman’s fluent 67 off 39 balls and a blistering 19-ball fifty from Sam Billings.
The Qalandars’ batting line-up showed great intent after losing opener Mohammad Naeem early for 10, bowled by Abrar Ahmed.
Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique rebuilt the innings with a 56-run partnership.
Shafique struck a quick 37 off 21 balls before falling to Akeal Hosein.
Fakhar continued his charge, reaching his 20th PSL half-century, and was well-supported by Daryl Mitchell, who chipped in with a composed 37.
Together, they added 80 runs before both fell in quick succession.
Billings then took centre stage, hammering an unbeaten 50 off just 19 deliveries.
His explosive innings, featuring four sixes and four fours, propelled Lahore past the 200-run mark despite late wickets. Hosein and Abrar took two wickets each for Quetta.
In reply, Quetta Gladiators faltered early in their chase of 220.
Lahore skipper Shaheen Afridi struck in the first over, removing Quetta captain Saud Shakeel for one.
Asif Afridi then dismissed Hassan Nawaz, and Shaheen returned to claim Finn Allen for a duck, reducing Quetta to 9-3 within four overs.
Kusal Mendis and Rilee Rossouw offered some resistance with a 45-run stand.
Mendis scored a brisk 28 off 14 before falling to Haris Rauf, while Rossouw kept hopes alive with a quickfire 44 off 19, laced with four boundaries and four sixes.
However, Rishad Hossain removed Rossouw to claim his maiden PSL wicket, triggering another collapse.
Sikandar Raza dealt further blows by dismissing Shoaib Malik (14) and Akeal Hosein in the same over.
Rishad returned to remove Mohammad Amir and Abrar Ahmed, finishing with impressive figures of 3-21.
Asif Afridi mopped up the tail, as Quetta were bowled out for 140 in 16.2 overs.
Shaheen, Asif, and Raza each took two wickets in a clinical all-round bowling performance.
The win was a strong comeback for Lahore Qalandars, who had lost their opening match to Islamabad United.
Quetta Gladiators, led by Saud Shakeel, had entered the contest with momentum after a win over Peshawar Zalmi but were thoroughly outplayed in Rawalpindi.
Quetta Gladiators Playing XI
Saud Shakeel (c), Finn Allen, Hassan Nawaz, Kusal Mendis (wk), Rilee Rossouw, Shoaib Malik, Faheem Ashraf, Akeal Hosain, Mohammad Amir, Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq.
Lahore Qalandars Playing XI
Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Naeem, Abdullah Shafique, Daryl Mitchell, Sam Billings (wk), Sikandar Raza, Shaheen Afridi (c), Jahandad Khan, Rishad Hossain, Haris Rauf and Asif Afridi.
