Islamabad United defeated Lahore Qalandars by 8 wickets

In the opening match of the ninth edition of the Pakistan Super League, Islamabad United defeated the defending champions Lahore Qalandars by 8 wickets in a one-sided contest.

In the opening match of the league played at Gaddafi Stadium, Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan won the toss and invited Lahore Qalandars to bat first.

When Qalandars opened the innings, openers Fakhar Zaman and Sahibzada Farhan gave their team a start of 67 runs in 6.3 overs, in which the first batsman Fakhar’s contribution was only 13 runs.

From the other end, Sahibzada Farhan played a brilliant half-century and combined with van der Dusen to take the score to 89.

At this stage, Sahibzada Farhan’s 36-ball innings with one six and 8 fours came to an end.

Abdullah Shafiq came to support Dawson and both of them put on a 73-run partnership in just 7 overs, showing excellent batting.

Abdullah returned to the pavilion after scoring 28 runs with the help of 3 sixes, while David Wiese’s innings also ended on 14 runs.

Dawson, who came from South Africa, played aggressively and scored 71 runs off 41 balls with the help of 3 sixes and 4 fours and remained unbeaten.

Lahore Qalandars scored 195 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in the allotted overs.

The Qalandars opened the innings with the openers giving the team a 41-run start in which Colin Munro’s contribution was just 5 runs.

Alex Hales scored 36 runs with 5 fours and a six but before he could prove dangerous, youngster Salman Fayaz caught him off his own ball to end the innings.

After the fall of two wickets for 62 runs, Agha Salman came to support the captain Shadab Khan and both of them started to attack the Qalandars bowlers especially Haris Rauf and David Wiese.

The two players not only formed an excellent partnership but also started to increase the run rate rapidly and gave their team the victory before 10 balls.

Both the players put on a magnificent partnership of 138 runs, captain Shadab scored 74 runs off just 41 balls with the help of 5 sixes and 6 fours.

Agha Salman also supported the captain and played an innings of 64 runs off 31 balls with 7 fours and 3 sixes.

Timel Mills took two wickets while Naseem Shah and Shadab Khan took one wicket each for Islamabad United.

Shadab Khan was declared the man of the match for his excellent batting.

A grand opening ceremony of the event was held before the match.

Both the teams for the match consist of these players.

Islamabad United: Shadab Khan (captain), Alex Hales, Colin Munro, Salman Ali Agha, Azam Khan (wicket keeper), Hyder Ali, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Ubaid Shah and Tymal Mills.

Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Sahibzada Farhan, Rasi van der Dusen, Abdullah Shafiq, Lorca Tucker (wicketkeeper), Salman Fayyaz, David Wiese, Jehandad Khan, Haris Rauf and Zaman Khan.