RAWALPINDI: After being invited to bat first, Lahore Qalandars posted a 220-run target against Quetta Gladiators courtesy of Fakhar Zaman’s half-century in the fourth match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 10 being played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Qalandars faced an early setback when opening batter Mohammad Naeem was dismissed for 10, clean bowled by Abrar Ahmed, leaving the team at a precarious 17/1 in 2.3 overs.
However, Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique steadied the innings, combining for a 56-run partnership for the second wicket. Both batters showcased their aggressive approach, dealing in boundaries and putting pressure on the Gladiators’ bowlers.
The partnership was broken when Akeal Hosein dismissed Shafique for a brisk 37 off 21 balls, with the score at 73/2 in 7.5 overs.
Despite the early wicket, Fakhar Zaman continued to dominate with a flamboyant knock, bringing up his 20th PSL fifty. He aimed to lead his side to a competitive total.
Daryl Mitchell joined Zaman at the crease and played a composed innings, rotating the strike well while finding the boundary at regular intervals.
The duo forged an impressive 80-run partnership that lifted Qalandars past the 150-run mark inside the 15th over, with Mitchell unbeaten on 37.
However, Abrar Ahmed returned to claim his second wicket, dismissing Mitchell and reducing Qalandars to 153/3 in 14.5 overs.
In the very next over, Qalandars suffered another blow with the dismissal of Fakhar Zaman, who was dismissed for a superb 67 off 39 deliveries, which included seven fours and three sixes.
Sam Billings and Sikandar Raza then combined for a modest 17-run partnership before Raza was dismissed by Usman Tariq for just six runs.
Billings, however, continued his aggressive assault, remaining unbeaten on 50 off 19 deliveries. Despite losing captain Shaheen Afridi for seven in the final over, Billings’ late hitting propelled Qalandars past the 200-run mark.
For Quetta Gladiators, Akeal Hosein and Abrar Ahmed were the standout bowlers, claiming two wickets each. Faheem Ashraf and Usman Tariq also contributed with one wicket apiece.
