Islamabad United thrash Lahore Qalandars wickets in PSL 9 opener

 Islamabad United Saturday defeated Lahore Qalandars by eight wickets in the opening clash of ninth edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) played at Qaddafi Stadium Lahore on Saturday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.  

Agha Salman and Shadab Khan fifties help the Islamabad to clinch a easy victory over PSL defending champion Lahore Qalandars.

Islamabad United completed the chase in the 19th over. Shadab hit 74* off 41 balls while Salman scored 34-ball 61. The duo posted an unbeaten partnership of 138 runs.

Alex Hales also made a notable contribution earlier in the chase scoring 28-ball 36. Salman Fayyaz and Zaman Khan bagged a wicket each.

The Islamabad United achieved the target of 196 in 18.2 overs.  

Earlier, Islamabad United United won the toss and opted to field first. After being put on batting first,  Lahore Qalandars initiated their innings with a blazing start, as openers Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman established a solid foundation with a brisk partnership.

While Farhan led the scoring, accumulating runs rapidly, Zaman made a valuable contribution before departing in the seventh over.

Farhan continued his aggressive stroke play, achieving his maiden PSL half-century in just 29 deliveries, demonstrating his ability to find boundaries effortlessly.

Although his departure in the 11th over briefly slowed the pace, Abdullah Shafique and Rassie van der Dussen quickly regained momentum, forming a crucial partnership to propel Qalandars' innings forward.

With Shafique providing crucial support, van der Dussen showcased his batting prowess with a blistering unbeaten knock, anchoring the innings with a fluent 71 off just 41 deliveries. His aggressive stroke play, featuring four boundaries and three sixes, strengthened Lahore's total in the final overs, establishing a formidable target for Islamabad United.

Despite spirited bowling efforts from Islamabad United, led by Tymal Mills, who claimed two wickets for 45 runs, Lahore Qalandars' batting onslaught proved too formidable to contain. Shadab Khan and Naseem Shah also contributed with a breakthrough each.

Lahore Qalandars: Fakhar Zaman, Sahibzada Farhan, Rassie van der Dussen, Abdullah Shafique, Lorcan Tucker, Salman Fayyaz, David Wiese, Jahandad Khan, Shaheen Afridi (capt), Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan

Qalandars, meanwhile, also have three overseas starters, with Rassie van der Dussen, Lorcan Tucker, and, of course, David Wiese in the starting line-up

Islamabad United start with three foreign players, two up top in Colin Munro and Alex Hales, and Tymal Mills all the way down.

Lahore Qalandars are the current champion and is vying for a third consecutive title after registering strong victories in 2022 and 2023. Islamabad has won the tournament twice, in 2016 and 2018.