Sports Report
LAHORE: Lahore Qalandars crushed Islamabad United by 110 runs in their clash in Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2023 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Monday.
Opting to bat first, Lahore Qalandars posted a huge target of 201-runs before bowling out Islamabad for 90 runs in 13.5 overs, thanks to a brilliant knock from Abdullah Shafique and a sensational bowling display from David Wiese and Sikandar Raza.
Zaman Khan gave Lahore Qalandars a much-needed breakthrough after openers Colin Munro, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (23) helped Islamabad United make a good start.
Zaman delivered a slow short bowl that was mistimed by Gurbaz, and Fakhar Zaman took the catch to send the Afghan batter back to the pavilion.
Soon after Gurbaz’s departure, Shaheen introduced David Wiese, who got the better of Colin Munro, reducing Islamabad to 54-2.The left-handed batter scored 18 runs off 14 balls.
In the next over, fiery pacer Haris Rauf struck as he sent Rassie van der Dussen (3) packing.
Wiese delivered again as he sent Islamabad’s skipper Shadab Khan (4) back to the pavilion after a successful review.
Islamabad United batters fail to score runs
Islamabad kept losing wickets. In a bid to up the run rate, Asif Ali went for a six but ended up getting caught by Haris off Rashid Khan.
Wiese added to Islamabad’s miseries by trapping Azam Khan for an lbw. The wicket-keeper batter, who scored 96 runs against Quetta Gladiators in their previous match, was sent packing after he scored only four runs.
The wizard Rashid claimed his second of the evening by bowling out Tom Curran (10).
Earlier, Lahore Qalandars posted a 201-run target against Islamabad United.
Tahir Baig and Fakhar Zaman gave Lahore Qalandars a good start against Islamabad United. The two batsmen stitched a 58-run target for the first wicket.
However, Shadab Khan gave Islamabad a much-needed breakthrough as he sent packing Tahir after he scored 20 runs off 17 balls.
In the next over, Fakhar Zaman was dismissed by Tom Curran. The left-handed batsman was trying to go for a bid shot, but the ball toppled the stums after an inside edge.
Nevertheless, the onslaught continued as Abdullah Shafique and Sam Billings continued to hit boundaries.
Abdullah and Sam put on a brilliant 71-run partnership off just 38 balls. But Curran struck again and broke the crucial partnership as he dismissed Abdullah, whom Rahmanullah Gurbaz caught at midwicket.
The 23-year-old was sent packing after scoring 45 runs off 24 deliveries, including four boundaries and two sixes.
Billings was the next batter to walk back as his compatriot got the better of him. The right-handed batter scored 33 runs off 23 deliveries.
Following Billings’ departure, David Weise (12) came to the crease but was sent packing by Abrar Ahmed.
Spinner Rashid Khan also played a crucial cameo of 18 runs, which included two boundaries and a six. But fell to Hasan Ali.
Meanwhile, all-rounder Sikandar Raza gathered 23 runs off 10 deliveries.
Lahore Qalandars
Fakhar Zaman, Tahir Baig, Sikandar Raza, David Wiese Hussain Talat, Rashid Khan, Shaheen Afridi (c), Abdullah Shafique, Sam Billings (wk), Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan
Islamabad United
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Colin Munro, Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Azam Khan (wk), Rassie van der Dussen, Shadab Khan (c),Zeeshan Zameer, Hasan Ali
