PSL 8: Abdullah, bowlers power Qalandars to big victory as United crumble
Cricket
Wiese spearheads Qalandars' bowling, bagging three wickets; Sikandar Raza shows all-round ability
LAHORE (Web Desk) – Abdullah Shafique’s blistering 24-ball 45 and bowlers’ brilliance powered Lahore Qalandars to comfortable 110-run victory against Islamabad United in the 16th match of the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at Qaddafi Stadium on Monday.
ISLAMABAD UNITED'S INNINGS
Chasing a target of 201, United were bundled out for 90 in the 14th over. Batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz went immediately after the Qalandars’ bowlers as he looked good for his 17-ball 23, clobbering two fours and one six. But he was removed by Zaman Khan.
With the exception of Gurbaz, only two of the United’s batters managed to reach the double figures, Colin Munro (18 off 14) and Tom Curran (10 off 6).
David Wiese, who spearheaded the Qalandars’ bowling attack, undone Colin Munro.
After Munro’s dismissal, none of the United’s batters showed any significant resistance and the Qalandars’ bowlers flummoxed the visitors in no time.
Rassie van der Dussen (3 off 6), Shadab Khan (4 off 6), Azam Khan (4 off 7), Asif Ai (3 off 4), Hasan Ali (4 off 8), Zeeshan Zameer (0 off 1) and Abrar Ahmed showed no resistance.
Faheem Ashraf remained unbeaten 13-ball 4.
For the Qalandars, With the exception of Shaheen Shah Afridi, every bowler claimed wickets.
David Wiese (3-17) scooped up three wickets. Rashid Khan, was absolutely classy with the bowl, bagging two wickets and conceded only eight runs in three overs.
Sikandar Raza (2-6), continued his momentum from the quickfire knock and grabbed two wickets.
Zaman Khan (1-18) and Haris Rauf (1-15) took a scalp each.
Shaheen Shah was hammered for 22 runs in his two overs.
— Islamabad United (@IsbUnited) February 27, 2023
LAHORE QALANDARS' INNINGS
Abdullah Shafique’s blistering 24-ball 45 and Fakhar Zaman’s quickfire 23-ball 36 steered Lahore Qalandars to 200-6 against Islamabad United in the 16th match of the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at Qaddafi Stadium on Monday.
In the first six overs, Qalandars’ batters Fakhar Zaman and Mirza Baig plundered 57. United’s bowlers were clueless, during this phase.
Mirza Baig was undone by Shadab Khan. He scored 17-ball 20, smashing two fours and one six.
Fakhar Zaman was cleaned up by Curran. He whacked five boundaries and one six.
Sam Billings also played his role in the middle overs. He amassed 23-ball 33, studded with five boundaries. Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza, once again showed his class and scored unbeaten 10-ball 23, laced with two fours and one maximum.
David Wiese and Rashid Khan also contributed important runs for their team, scoring 12 and 18, respectively.
Hussain Talat was trapped on 5-ball 6 by skipper Shadab Khan.
For the United, Tom Curran (3-34) and Shadab Khan (2-34) were outstanding. With the exception of Curran and Shadab, there was nothing special about to mention about the United’s bowling.
Abrar Ahmed bagged a wicket, but went for 50 runs. Hasan Ali also took a scalp, conceding 38 runs.
Zeeshan Zameer was hammered for 30 runs in two overs and remained wicketless. Faheem Ashraf bowled only two overs and gave away just 13 runs, without bagging a wicket.
— Lahore Qalandars (@lahoreqalandars) February 27, 2023
TOSS
Lahore Qalandars opted to bat first against Islamabad United in the marquee tournament.
SQUADS
Lahore Qalandars
Fakhar Zaman, Tahir Baig, Abdullah Shafique, Sam Billings (wk), Hussain Talat, Sikandar Raza, David Wiese, Rashid Khan, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan
— Lahore Qalandars (@lahoreqalandars) February 27, 2023
Islamabad United
Colin Munro, Rehmanullah Gurbaz, RVD Dussen, Shadab Khan (c), Azam Khan (wk), Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Tom Curran, Hassan Ali, Zeeshan Zameer, Abrar Ahmed
— Islamabad United (@IsbUnited) February 27, 2023
