RAWALPINDI: Fakhar Zaman struck a quickfire half-century to steer Lahore Qalandars to a competitive total of 149 for 8 against Peshawar Zalmi in a rain-affected match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
The contest, initially set for 20 overs per side, was curtailed to 13 overs following persistent rain. Peshawar Zalmi won the toss and opted to field first, but Lahore Qalandars made a flying start to their innings.
Openers Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Naeem launched a fierce assault on the Zalmi bowlers, racing to 54 runs in just 3.4 overs.
Fakhar was the main aggressor, punishing anything short or wide, while Naeem provided solid support with a 10-ball 22, featuring three boundaries and a six, before falling to Daniel Sams.
Fakhar continued to dominate the scoring, forming brief stands with Abdullah Shafique (5) and Kusal Perera (17) as wickets fell around him.
However, Qalandars kept the scoreboard ticking and reached 115 for 3 by the end of the ninth over.
The turning point came in the 10th over when Ali Raza dismissed in-form Sikandar Raza for just 4, triggering a mini-collapse.
Asif Ali managed a quick 18 off 8 balls, but his stay was cut short by Ahmed Daniyal, who struck twice in two deliveries by removing Asif and then Shakib Al Hasan for a first-ball duck.
Despite the setbacks, Fakhar remained firm at the crease until the penultimate over, when Daniel Sams bowled him out for a brilliant 60 off 36 balls, laced with seven fours and three sixes.
His innings provided the foundation for the Qalandars to post a challenging total.
Skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf managed to add 10 more runs before Haris was run out on the final ball of the innings.
For Zalmi, Daniel Sams, Ahmed Daniyal, and Ali Raza claimed two wickets apiece, while keeping the Qalandars in check during the closing stages.
