LAHORE: Defending champions Lahore Qalandars posted a formidable 199 runs after opting to bat first against debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen in the PSL 11 opener at Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.
Fakhar Zaman leads the charge
Openers Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Naeem provided a flying start, putting together 84 runs for the first wicket. Fakhar played a fluent knock of 53 off 39 balls, striking 10 boundaries, while Naeem contributed a brisk 30 from 19 deliveries before both fell to left-arm spinner Hassan Khan in quick succession.
The double blow saw Abdullah Shafique depart for just 4, run out following a sharp piece of work in the field, leaving the Qalandars at 94 for 3.
Defending Champions’ power show! 💥#HBLPSL11 | #NewEra pic.twitter.com/zDcEewjsvW
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 26, 2026
Late flourish boosts total
Parvez Hossain Emon added 14 before falling to Riley Meredith, but wicketkeeper Haseebullah Khan held the innings together with an unbeaten 40 off 28 balls. Sikandar Raza provided the late fireworks, smashing 24 from just 10 deliveries, including two boundaries and two sixes, before Meredith claimed his second wicket.
Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi gave the innings a sensational finish, remaining not out on 12 from a mere two balls, both dispatched for sixes.
Target of 200 set! 🎯
Hyderabad Kingsmen to chase for their maiden HBL PSL win!#HBLPSL11 | #NewEra pic.twitter.com/cnLr4pErvg— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 26, 2026
Meredith shines for debutants
For Hyderabad Kingsmen, Australian pacer Riley Meredith was the pick of the bowlers, returning figures of 2 for 39 from his four overs. Hassan Khan also impressed, claiming 2 for 30, while Mohammad Ali picked up a solitary wicket.
Chase ahead
With a target of 200, the Kingsmen face a stern test in their first-ever PSL outing. The chase is set to begin shortly, with all eyes on whether the debutants can rise to the occasion against the formidable Qalandars bowling attack led by Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf.
