Lahore Qalandars registered their first win of PSL 9 in a thrilling encounter against Islamabad United at Pindi Cricket Stadium. After posting a competitive total of 162 runs, thanks to a crucial half-century by Rassie van der Dussen, Lahore’s bowlers, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, put up a lethal performance to dismiss Islamabad United for 145 runs.
Match Summary:
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Lahore Qalandars got off to a shaky start as they lost early wickets. However, Rassie van der Dussen’s resilient knock of 64 runs, along with valuable contributions from captain Shaheen Shah Afridi and David Wiese, helped them reach a challenging total of 162 runs for the loss of seven wickets.
In response, Lahore’s bowlers came out firing on all cylinders, with Jahandad Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi wreaking havoc in the powerplay. Islamabad United struggled to build partnerships and lost wickets at regular intervals, eventually falling short of the target by 17 runs.
Key Performances:
- Rassie van der Dussen (Lahore Qalandars): Van der Dussen played a pivotal role in Lahore Qalandars’ innings, scoring a crucial half-century off 44 balls. His innings provided stability to the Qalandars’ batting lineup and set the platform for a competitive total.
- Shaheen Shah Afridi (Lahore Qalandars): Afridi led from the front with both bat and ball, contributing a quickfire 30 runs off 14 balls and picking up two crucial wickets in Islamabad United’s innings. His all-round performance played a significant role in Lahore’s victory.
- Zaman Khan (Lahore Qalandars): Zaman Khan was the pick of the bowlers for Lahore Qalandars, picking up four wickets for 37 runs in his four overs. His timely breakthroughs and ability to contain the opposition’s scoring rate played a crucial role in Lahore’s success.
Turning Point:
- Lahore Qalandars’ dominant performance in the powerplay, where they picked up five wickets, proved to be the turning point of the match. The early wickets put Islamabad United under immense pressure and set the tone for Lahore’s bowling effort.
Impactful Bowling:
- Jahandad Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi’s devastating spells in the powerplay rattled Islamabad United’s top order and put them on the back foot early in their chase. Their aggressive bowling set the stage for Lahore’s eventual victory.
Conclusion:
Lahore Qalandars’ comprehensive victory over Islamabad United marked a significant turnaround in their campaign in PSL 9. A collective effort from both batsmen and bowlers ensured that they secured their first win of the tournament in convincing fashion.
Player of the Match:
Rassie van der Dussen’s match-winning half-century earned him the well-deserved Player of the Match award for his crucial contribution to Lahore Qalandars’ victory.
Next Fixture:
The action continues as Islamabad United takes on Karachi Kings in the upcoming fixture at Pindi Cricket Stadium. Cricket fans can expect another thrilling encounter as both teams look to bounce back from their recent defeats and secure crucial points in the tournament.
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