LAHORE: Lahore Qalandars have handed Islamabad United their first defeat in Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10, ending their unbeaten run in the ongoing edition, at Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.
Chasing a mammoth 210-run target, Lahore Qalandars bowled out the defending champions United on 121 in 16.5 overs, defeating them by 88 runs.
The defending champions were off to a shaky start in their chase as Sahibzada Farhan fell to Shaheen Afridi on nine.
Andries Gous and Salman Agha then stitched a 69-run partnership to stabilise the innings, however, Gous’s dismissal sparked a collapse which saw six United batters get out before reaching double-digit figures.
Andries Gous remained the top run-getter for Islamabad United, having scored 41 off 27 balls, while Salman Agha made 36 off 25 deliveries.
For Lahore Qalandars, Haris Rauf bagged a four-fer and Sikandar Raza picked up three wickets. Shaheen Afridi, Tom Curran, and Asif Afridi chipped in with one wicket each.
Earlier, Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Naeem started strong for the home side with a 50-run opening stand, before Naeem was run out after scoring 25 off 22 balls.
Abdullah Shafique then joined Fakhar and the two shared a 47-run stand to take the Qalandars to 97 in 10.3 overs.
The left-handed batter was dismissed after 44 off 30 balls, with the help of five fours and two sixes.
Daryl Mitchell then arrived at the crease to join Abdullah Shafique, however, the latter departed after scoring 22 off 17 balls, with the scoreboard showing 108 for three in 12.4 overs.
Mitchell was then joined by wicketkeeping batter Sam Billings, and the two took Qalandars to 145.
Mitchell was dismissed after scoring 28 off 18 deliveries.
It was then Sam Billings and Sikandar Raza’s show as they launched Islamabad United bowlers for towering sixes all around the park.
Raza was dismissed on the second last ball of the final over after scoring a quickfire 39 off 17 deliveries, with the help of three fours and three sixes.
Billings remained unbeaten on 38 off 17 balls as the Qalandars finished at 209/6 in their 20 overs.
