Lahore Qalandars beats Islamabad Unit. In a thrilling encounter in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine, Lahore Qalandars clinched a significant victory, ending their losing streak with a commendable 17-run win over Islamabad United in Rawalpindi.
Opting to bat first, Lahore Qalandars faced early setbacks, losing Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman in the initial overs.
However, Rassie van der Dussen’s resilient half-century and a dynamic cameo from skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi revitalized their innings.
Afridi’s aggressive 30 off just 14 balls, punctuated by four powerful sixes, provided the much-needed impetus. Van der Dussen’s impressive knock of 64 off 44 deliveries, complemented by David Wiese’s late contribution, propelled Lahore to a competitive total of 163 runs.
In response, Islamabad United’s chase stumbled right from the outset. Shaheen Afridi’s fiery opening spell dismantled their top order, claiming the key wicket of Alex Hales in the very first over.
Despite brief resistance from Azam Khan and Faheem Ashraf, Islamabad found themselves in dire straits with the quick dismissals of their key batsmen.
Naseem Shah’s valiant effort injected a glimmer of hope, but Lahore’s bowling unit, spearheaded by Afridi and Zaman Khan, held firm to restrict Islamabad to 146 runs.
Zaman Khan’s stellar bowling performance, clinching four crucial wickets for 37 runs, and Shaheen Afridi’s pivotal contributions, including his milestone 100th PSL wicket, underscored Lahore Qalandars’ dominance with the ball.
Afridi’s leadership, both with the bat and the ball, played a pivotal role in steering Lahore to a much-awaited triumph, marking a significant turnaround in their campaign.
The victory not only breaks Lahore Qalandars’ losing streak but also reaffirms their resilience and potential in the tournament.
As Lahore Qalandars beats Islamabad Unit, Lahore’s confidence is likely to soar as they aim to build momentum in the remainder of the PSL season nine, while Islamabad United will look to regroup and bounce back from this setback in their quest for glory.
