Lahore (Sports News):
Fakhar Zaman’s blazing century helped Lahore Qalandars register a thrilling nine-run win over Quetta Gladiators in the Match 30 of HBL Pakistan Super League 11 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Tuesday evening.
Lahore Qalandars moved to fourth on the table with eight points, while Quetta Gladiators dropped to fifth with six points.
Fakhar’s 103 off 51 balls, which included 11 fours and six sixes, powered Lahore to 197 for six in 20 overs. In reply, Quetta fought hard through half-centuries by Shamyl Hussain and Rilee Rossouw, but fell short as they finished on 188 for 7.
Lahore lost Mohammad Farooq early for four in the second over with just seven runs on the board, but Fakhar steadied the innings with Abdullah Shafique in a 57-run stand for the second wicket. Abdullah contributed 14 off 15 balls before he was dismissed in the seventh over with the score at 64 for two.
Fakhar then found strong support from Charith Asalanka. The pair added 96 runs for the third wicket to put Lahore in a commanding position. Fakhar dominated the stand with attacking strokeplay all around the ground, while Asalanka made 31 off 24 balls with three fours and one six.
Asalanka fell leg-before-wicket to Brett Hampton in the 16th over with the score on 160, while Fakhar was dismissed in the next over for 103, caught by Shamyl Hussain off Usman Tariq at 164-4. Daniel Sams then added late impetus with 18 not out off 12 balls hitting two fours and one six, while Shaheen Shah Afridi chipped in with eight as Lahore closed on 197-6.
For Quetta, Alzarri Joseph was the most economical bowler conceding 23 in four overs including a maiden first over, while Hampton, Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq picked up one wicket apiece.
Quetta made a positive start in the chase as Shamyl Hussain and Saud Shakeel added 49 runs for the opening wicket. Saud made 17 off 17 balls before Sikandar Raza provided Lahore with the breakthrough in the sixth over.
Shamyl continued the charge and raced to 53 off 31 balls striking five fours and three sixes, scoring his third HBL PSL half-century in his debut season, but Lahore hit back through a sharp run-out by Sams with the score on 88 in the 10th over.
Haris Rauf then struck with the next ball to dismiss Hasan Nawaz for naught, leaving Quetta 88-3.
Rossouw then launched a counterattack to revive the chase, hammering 62 off 29 deliveries with five fours and five sixes. His innings shifted momentum before Ubaid Shah removed him in the 15th over, caught behind by Haseebullah with Quetta on 149-5.
Khawaja Mohammad Nafay scored 12, Bevon Jacobs made two and Brett Hampton added seven, but Quetta could not keep up with the required rate. Haris removed Hampton in the 18th over to leave Quetta at 160-7.
Abrar Ahmed then played a fighting unbeaten knock of 24 off 14 balls, hitting five fours, while Alzarri Joseph remained not out on three. Despite the late resistance, Quetta finished on 188-7.
Haris Rauf led Lahore’s bowling effort with 2-28 in four overs, while Shaheen, Ubaid, Sikandar and Usama Mir claimed one wicket each. Shaheen
Scores in brief:
Lahore Qalandars 197-6, 20 overs (Fakhar Zaman 103, Charith Asalanka 31; Khalil Ahmed 2-38)
Quetta Gladiators 188-7, 20 overs (Rilee Rossouw 62, Shamyl Hussain 53, Abrar Ahmed 24 not out; Haris Rauf 2-28).
