LAHORE – Despite below-average batting, Lahore Qalandars managed to thrash Quetta Gladiators by 17 runs in the 18th match of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
Chasing 149 runs, beleaguered Gladiators got off to a great start as power hitter Will Smeed slammed two boundaries in the first over. Yasir Khan and Will Smeed stitched half ton for the first wicket before Khan returned to the pavilion.
Lahore star bowler Rashid Khan got Smeed in front of the stumps, as he scored 32 runs off 25 deliveries. Seasoned player Mohammad Hafeez scored mere 2 and was run out by Fakhar Zaman.
Rashid then again struck and outfoxed Gladiators powerhouse Iftikhar Ahmed. The seamer finished with striking figures of 2-14. Martin Guptill managed to score 15. Skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed then continue the momentum and remained unbeaten on 27 runs but took nearly five overs to get there.
One of the most remarkable comebacks you will witness 👏
From being down and out in the first 10 overs of the game, Lahore pull off an astounding win 💪#HBLPSL8 | #SabSitarayHumaray | #LQvQG pic.twitter.com/lsBf05YZk6
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 2, 2023
In the first half of the game, Qalandars came to bat and scored 148 in 19.2 overs. The home side suffered blows early in the game after slipping to 50-7 against Quetta Gladiators.
Afghan skipper Rashid Khan and Sikandar Raza helped their side back into the game with a half-ton in partnership. Khan was then caught after scoring 21 runs in 20 balls.
Gladiators bowlers helped Quetta reduce Lahore to 29-4 in the powerplay. Umaid Asif got Fakhar Zaman, Asif then hit Mirza Tahir Baig on a mere 2. Naveen-ul-Haq helped his side get rid of Sam Billings and Hussain Talat.
Abdullah Shafique then attempted to advance but was cleaned up by Nawaz after scoring 15. Skipper Shaheen Afridi changed his position after tumble. He however could score 16 on 16.
Nawaz struck again and this time it was David Wiese who was caught and bowled. Sikandar Raza exceptional knock of 71 runs off 34 balls, helped hosts to reach 148 runs.
Beleaguered Quetta Gladiators won the toss and decided to bowl first against in-form Lahore Qalandars in the 18th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight on Thursday.
🚨 TOSS UPDATE 🚨@TeamQuetta win the toss and elect to bowl first 🏏
Follow ball-by-ball updates: https://t.co/MkjdKMyGtF#HBLPSL8 | #SabSitarayHumaray | #LQvQG pic.twitter.com/Q6IdDrlB7j
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 2, 2023
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
Quetta Gladiators: Sarfaraz Ahmed (c), Yasir Khan, Will Smeed, Martin Guptill, Iftikhar Ahmed, Odean Smith, Muhammad Hafeez, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Naveen-ul-Haq, Umaid Asif
