Qalandars thump Gladiators to register first victory in HBL PSL X

Staff Report

RAWALPINDI: Fakhar Zaman’s blazing 67 along with Sam Billings’ 19-ball unbeaten half-century and disciplined bowling from spinners powered Lahore Qalandars to a dominant 79-run win over Quetta Gladiators in the fourth match of HBL PSL X at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday night. Lahore defended their 219-run total as their spinners —Rishad Hussain (3-31), Sikandar Raza (2-12) and Asif Afridi (2-20) returned collective figures of 7-63 in 7.2 overs. After Abrar Ahmed drew first blood for Quetta, Fakhar and Abdullah Shafique (37, 21b, 6x4s, 1×6) stitched a 56-run stand. Fakhar, who clubbed seven fours and three maximums during his 39-ball stay on crease, then joined forces with Daryl Mitchell (37, 23b, 4x4s, 1×6) as the duo ransacked 80 runs off 42 balls. Billings, who walked in to bat at no. 6 in the 16th over, launched four boundaries and as many sixes in his blitzy half-century to help Qalandars go past 200-run mark for the 12th time in HBL PSL.

Qalandars’ 219-6 in the allocated 20 overs was also their third highest total, besides 241-3 and 226-5 from HBL PSL 8.  In reply, Quetta were left reeling as they slipped to 9-3 in the third over. Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed Saud Shakeel and Finn Allen, while left-arm spinner Asif Afridi removed Hasan Nawaz. Rilee Rossouw (44, 19b, 4x4s, 4x6s) and Kusal Mendis (28, 14b, 3x4s, 2x6s) tried to revive the chase with a brisk 45-run alliance off just 18 balls, but Haris Rauf had Mendis caught behind in the sixth over. The spinners then took charge — Rishad dismissed Rossouw in ninth over before cleaning up Mohammad Amir and Abrar Ahmed in 13th over. Sikandar Raza struck twice in 12th over, removing Shoaib Malik and Akeal Hosein for 14 and 13, respectively. Asif returned to wrap the innings by dismissing Faheem Ashraf (21, 18b, 3x4s, 1×6) asQuetta were bundled out for140 in 16.2 overs.

Brief scores:

Match 4: Lahore Qalandars beat Quetta Gladiators by 79 runs at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium,

Lahore Qalandars 219-6, 20 overs (Fakhar Zaman 67, Sam Billings 50 not out, Abdullah Shafique 37, Daryl Mitchell 37; Abrar Ahmed 2-33, Akeal Hosein 2-40) vs Quetta Gladiators 140 all out, 16.2 overs (Rilee Rossouw 44, Kusal Mendis 28; Rishad Hussain 3-31, Shaheen Shah Afridi 2-6, Sikandar Raza 2-12, Asif Afridi 2-20)

Player of the Match – Fakhar Zaman (Lahore Qalandars).