RAWALPINDI: Defending champions Islamabad United on Friday night handed down an eight-wicket thumping defeat on Lahore Qalandars in the opening encounter of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Chasing a modest 140-run target, the defending champions comfortably knocked the winning runs for the loss of just two wickets and 14 balls to spare.
The home side, however, got off to a contrasting start to the run chase as their debutant opener Andries Gous perished in the second over with just eight runs on the board.
Following the early hiccup, Munro joined Sahibzada Farhan in the middle and together they launched recovery by adding 55 runs for the second until the opener fell victim to Haris Rauf in the ninth over after scoring 25 off 24 deliveries.
Munro then joined forces with Salman Ali Agha for a match-winning 80-run partnership to steer the United over the line.
The top-order batter top-scored with an unbeaten 59 off 42 deliveries, laced with seven fours and a six, while Agha made 41 not out from 34 deliveries with the help of three fours and a six.
For Qalandars, Abbas Afridi and Rauf could pick up a wicket apiece.
United captain Shadab Khan’s decision to bowl first proved beneficial for the defending champions as their Holder-led bowling unit dismantled the Qalandars’ batting unit, which could yield a meagre 139 before getting bowled out in 19.2 overs.
