Lahore Qalandars Defeat Hyderabad Kingsmen in PSL 11 Opener

Defending champions Lahore Qalandars secured a commanding 69-run victory over Hyderabad Kingsmen in the Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) opener at Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday, powered by Fakhar Zaman’s fluent fifty and a disciplined bowling display.

Set a daunting 200-run target in their maiden PSL outing, the Kingsmen’s batting line-up faltered, managing just 130 before being bowled out in 20 overs. “Captain Marnus Labuschagne remained the top-scorer for the Kingsmen with a cautious 26 off 22 deliveries, followed by No.9 batter Riley Meredith, who made an unbeaten 19 off 25 deliveries.” Besides them, opener Saim Ayub (17), all-rounder Hammad Azam, and tailender Mohammad Ali (10 each) were the only other batters to reach double figures.

For the Qalandars, Haris Rauf, Sikandar Raza, and Ubaid Shah claimed two wickets each, while Mustafizur Rahman and captain Shaheen Shah Afridi added one each. Zaman was declared Player of the Match.

The Qalandars’ decision to bat first paid off, posting 199/6 in 20 overs despite an early top-order collapse. Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Naeem put together an 84-run partnership, giving the innings a strong foundation. “The crucial partnership was eventually broken by Hassan Khan on the second delivery of the ninth over when he got Naeem caught at long-on by Rizwan Mehmood.” Naeem scored 30 off 19 balls, including four boundaries and a six.

Following consecutive setbacks, Abdullah Shafique was run out for four, and Fakhar fell to Hassan shortly after reaching his half-century. Fakhar remained the top-scorer for the Qalandars with 53 off 39 deliveries, including nine fours.

Haseebullah Khan and Parvez Hossain Emon then added 37 runs for the fourth wicket, followed by a brisk 45-run partnership between Haseebullah and Sikandar Raza, who struck two sixes and as many fours in his 24-run cameo off 10 deliveries. Haseebullah remained unbeaten on 40 off 28 balls, while Asif Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi contributed nine and 12 not out, respectively.

For Hyderabad Kingsmen, Riley Meredith and Hassan Khan picked up two wickets each, while Mohammad Ali claimed one.