LAHORE, Pakistan: Lahore Qalandars delivered a dominant all-round performance to crush Islamabad United by 88 runs in their Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10 clash at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.
After setting a commanding total of 210, the Lahore Qalandars’ bowlers dismantled United’s batting line-up with ruthless precision to hand the previously unbeaten side their first loss of the tournament.
Despite a cautious start to their chase, United faltered under pressure and crumbled steadily, eventually falling well short of the target as Qalandars’ pace attack took control.
Islamabad began tentatively, collecting only four runs in the opening over from Shaheen Shah Afridi. Sahibzada Farhan, though looking to settle in, struggled for fluency.
Afridi struck a key early blow by dismissing Farhan with a sharp bouncer, which the batter misjudged, top-edging a pull straight to Sikandar Raza at square leg.
Qalandars ka Sikandar strikes again ⚡⚡#HBLPSLX I #ApnaXHai I #LQvIU pic.twitter.com/3P2alHjgwM
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) April 30, 2025
Though Salman Agha briefly counterattacked, launching a six with a well-executed sweep, and Gous added a four with a driven shot over wide long-on, the momentum was short-lived.
Agha’s resistance was ended by Raza, who recovered well after conceding two sixes to bowl a clever, quicker delivery that breached Agha’s defences.
Rauf’s spell
The collapse gained pace when Haris Rauf removed Azam Khan with a skiddy delivery that nipped back in sharply, trapping him plumb in front.
Azam walked without hesitation as the review confirmed the on-field decision.
Tom Curran added to United’s woes, dismissing Imad Wasim cheaply with a tame shot to mid-off.
Qalandars can do no wrong today! Another one for Sikandar Raza 🔥#HBLPSLX I #ApnaXHai I #LQvIU pic.twitter.com/Igf7Gqa0N9
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) April 30, 2025
The lack of pace unsettled Imad, and with the required run rate soaring beyond 20 per over, Islamabad’s hopes began to fade.
Sikandar Raza then delivered a match-defining double blow, removing skipper Shadab Khan and Ben Dwarshuis in quick succession.
Shadab misjudged a lofted shot and found the fielder at long-off, while Dwarshuis succumbed to a short delivery he could not quite handle.
With Hunain Shah the last man in, Islamabad’s chase collapsed entirely, ending a disappointing outing for the side that came into the match unbeaten.
Lahore’s bowlers, led by their pacers and supported by key breakthroughs from Sikandar Raza, sealed a commanding win, underlining their depth and firepower with the ball.
