In the 26th game of the Pakistan Super League season eight, Lahore Qalandars posted a mammoth total of 226/5 against Islamabad United. Playing at the Pindi Club Ground, the defending champions left nothing to punish United bowlers. Star batter Fakhar Zaman scored a well-made century to lead Lahore’s batting unit.
After winning the toss, the visitors, Qalandars decided to bat first and the decision didn’t go well with the team. Opener Abdullah Shafique was dismissed by Fazalhaq Farooqi in the very first over of the game. After his dismissal, Fakhar along with Kamran Ghulam added 122 runs for the second wicket.
Although, the former was quite lucky today as he got two lifelines early in the innings. Firstly, in the second over of the first innings, the 2017 Champions Trophy winner was dropped by Asif Ali in the first slip. On the other occasion, Hasan Ali dropped him at long-off in the 10th over of the game.
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Two lifelines for Fakhar. We know what that means 💁🏼♂️#HBLPSL8 | #SabSitarayHumaray | #IUvLQ pic.twitter.com/d15QlpC8gE
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 9, 2023
Fakhar Zaman capitalized on the opportunities very brilliantly
Zaman made the most of the double reprieves and scored 115 runs off 57 balls. He also smashed eight fours and eight sixes while hammering United bowlers all around the park. On the other hand, Kamran scored 41 runs off 30 balls with the help of four fours and two sixes. The partnership before was broken by Mohammed Wasim Junior as he dismissed Kamran.
After Kamran’s dismissal, Fakhar along with Sam Billings added 70 runs. However, Fakhar was finally dismissed by Hasan Ali in the 18th over of the game after capitalizing on opportunities. Qalandars’ with some quick fires from Rashid Khan ended up with a massive total of 226 runs.
United needed 227 runs to win the game and qualify for the playoffs of the Pakistan Super League season 8. They failed to do so as they were bowled out for 107 runs, losing the game by 119 runs.
