PSL 2019: Lahore Qalanders set 172 runs target for Islamabad United
Lahore Qalanders set 172 runs target for Islamabad United in the opening match of the PSL 2019.
DUBAI (Dunya News) – Fakhar Zaman hit a blistering half century as Lahore Qalanders set 172 runs target for Islamabad United in the opening match of the fourth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL-4) at the Dubai International cricket stadium on Thursday.
Fakhar Zaman and Sohail Akhtar laid a solid foundation for Lahore Qalanders as the pair added 97 runs in 10.4 overs before Sohail Akhtar gloved a rising delivery from Faheem Ashraf to the safe hands of Luke Ronchi.
Sohail Akhtar made 37 runs. Fakhar Zaman could not capitalize on a solid start and threw away his wicket on a wide delivery from Shadab Khan after scoring 65 runs studded with six boundaries and three sixes.
AB de Villiers, making his debut in the Pakistan Super League, stayed on the crease for just 17 deliveries befor he was dismissed by a good catch by Philip Salt on the boundary line on the bowling of Waqas. De Villiers made 24 runs with the help of two boundaries and a huge six.
Lahore Qalanders lost quick wickets in the last five overs in a bid to post a big total but they managed only 171 runs for the loss on eight wickets.
Faheem Ashraf bowled superbly for Islamabad United and took two wickets by giving away just 24 runs in his quota of four overs. Muhammad Sami, Waqas Maqsood, Shadab Khan and CS Delport claimed one wicket each.
Six teams are participating in the Super League.
The tournament will see renowned international cricketers as well as promising young talent in action. Among the biggest foreign names gracing this edition are AB de Villiers, Corey Anderson, Dwayne Bravo, Shane Watson, Sikandar Raza, and Luke Ronchi.
PSL matches will be played in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi in the UAE leg.
The last eight matches will be played in Lahore and Karachi.
34 matches will be played in the 32-day event. Karachi’s National Stadium will host five matches. Gaddafi Stadium will be lit up for three fixtures. All the three matches will be played under floodlights.
