Monday’s 16th match of the current eighth season of the Pakistan Premier League (PSL) at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore saw Lahore Qalandars defeat Islamabad United by 110 runs. With the decision to bat first, Lahore set a tall goal of 201 runs before dismissing Islamabad for 90 runs in 13.5 overs, all thanks to an excellent effort by Abdullah Shafique and some superb bowling from David Wiese and Sikandar Raza.
There is no stopping Lahore Qalandars
Islamabad was unable to form a partnership and struggled to get going, with the exception of the opening stand of 41 runs that Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Colin Munro put together in response to the substantial total. Zaman Khan provided Lahore a much-needed win as Islamabad’s openers Colin Munro and Gurbaz (23) gave Islamabad a strong start. As a result of Gurbaz mistiming a slow, short ball from Zaman, Fakhar Zaman bowled a blinder to send the Afghan batsman back to the pavilion.
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Shortly after David Wiese was introduced by Shaheen and overcame Colin Munro to raise Islamabad’s total to 54-2, Gurbaz exited. To score 18 runs, the left-handed hitter just required 14 balls. Rassie van der Dussen (3) was dismissed in the next over by fiery pacer Haris Rauf. Shadab Khan (4) of Islamabad was sent back to the pavilion after a successful review by Wiese. The wickets for Islamabad kept falling.
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By aiming for a six, Asif Ali tried to increase the run rate, but Haris eventually caught him off, Rashid Khan. Islamabad’s problems were made worse when Wiese caught Azam Khan for an lbw. After scoring just four runs against the Quetta Gladiators, the wicket-keeper batsman, who had previously scored 96 runs, was bowled out. The magician Rashid got his second of the night by bowling Tom Curran (10).
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Zeeshan Zameer, Hasan Ali, and Abrar Ahmed were returned in the fourteenth over. Rashid and Raza both claimed two victims, while Wiese secured three wickets for Lahore. Zaman and Haris managed to get each wicket. Islamabad United had been given a 201-run target by Lahore Qalandars earlier. Tahir Baig and Fakhar Zaman helped Lahore Qalandars make a good start against Islamabad United.
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Together, the two batsmen managed to assemble a 58-run target for the first wicket. In response to this, Shadab Khan dismissed Tahir for 20 runs off of 17 balls, giving Islamabad a much-needed breakthrough. On the next over by Tom Curran, Fakhar was dismissed. An inside edge caused the ball to fall to the stumps as the left-handed batter tried to go for a big shot. Sam Billings and Abdullah Shafique continued to score goals, but the attack persisted.
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Sam and Abdullah scored a remarkable 71 runs in only 38 balls together. But Curran struck again, this time removing Abdullah, who was caught by Rahmanullah Gurbaz at midwicket, ending the crucial partnership. The 23-year-old was removed after his 45 runs off 24 balls, which included four boundaries and two maximums. Once Billings’ fellow countryman beat him, he became the second batter to exit the game.
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The right-handed hitter hit 23 balls for 33 runs. After Billings’ departure, David Weise (12) tried to enter the crease, but Abrar Ahmed dragged him out. Spinner Rashid Khan also had a noteworthy cameo with 18 runs, two boundaries, and a six. Hasan Ali triumphed, however. In the interim, Sikandar Raza, an all-rounder, scored 23 runs off 10 balls.
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Lahore had previously won the toss and decided to bat first against Islamabad. With their recent convincing wins, both sides will be motivated. Quetta Gladiators were defeated by United in Karachi, while Lahore Qalandars beat Peshawar Zalmi last night in Lahore.
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