Lahore Qalandars Shine Bright with their Maiden Victory in HBLPSL 9

Muhammad Waqas

Lahore Qalandars: 162/7 (20) | Der Dussen 64(44), Shaheen 30(14) | Raees 2/19, Shadab 1/23

Islamabad United: 145 (18.5) | Faheem 41*(31), Azam 29(19) | Zaman 4/37, Shaheen 2/32

Finally, Lahore Qalandars were able to end their losing streak by securing a hard-fought 17-run victory over Islamabad United. 

Chasing a target of 163 runs, Islamabad United suffered an early blow as Shaheen Afridi got rid of Alex Hales, thanks to a magnificent one-handed catch by Jahandad Khan at long-on. Agha Salman was short-lived as Zaman Khan struck, followed by a yorker to dismiss United’s captain Shadab Khan. The woes continued for Islamabad United as Colin Munro, Imad Wasim, and Jordan Cox fell in quick sensation, leaving the team reeling at 38/6 in the 7^th over.

However, Azam khan and Faheem Ashraf showed some resilience with a 35-run partnership to reignite hopes of a comeback. Despite Azam Khan’s departure, Faheem Ashraf’s gritty unbeaten knock anchored Islamabad United’s innings. Faheem Ashraf’s stand at the crease found crucial support in Naseem Shah’s cameo of 27 runs off 16 balls, including back-to-back sixes against Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Despite a valiant effort from Faheem, who remained unbeaten on 41, Islamabad United fell short of the target, managing only 145 runs.

For Lahore Qalandars, Zaman Khan led the bowling attack with a four-wicket haul, ably supported by Shaheen Afridi’ two crucial scalps. While David Weise, Jahandad Khan and Ahsan Hafeez dismissed one batter each.

Earlier, in the first innings, Lahore Qalandars faced early blows as Rumman Raees and Hunain Shah dismissed Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman cheaply, followed by departure of Shai Hope by Imad Wasim. Qalandars found themselves struggling at 30/3 in the seventh over.

However, Captain Shaheen Afridi promoted himself up the order to show his batting prowess. He smashed four sixes in quickfire 30 runs off 14 balls to stabilize the innings. Rassie Van Der Dussen played a vital role, anchoring the innings with a well-made 64 off 44 including four sixes and equal number of boundaries. Contributions from the lower order, particularly David Weise’s 24 runs in 11 balls, propelled Lahore to a competitive total of 162/7.

Rumman Raees emerged as the pick of the bowlers for Islamabad United with two scalps for 19 runs. Whereas Naseem, Hunain, Shadab, Imad and Faheem Ashraf took one wicket each.