Lahore: Lahore Qalandars recorded their biggest win in terms of runs and the joint-second biggest in the history of HBL Pakistan Super League to go on top of the points table as they steamrolled Islamabad United by 110 runs on Monday night at the Gaddafi Stadium. This was their second comprehensive win in as many nights as a combined batting effort – in which Abdullah Shafique stood out with 24-ball 45 – helped them to 200 for seven before Islamabad United faltered to 90 all out with as many as 37 balls to spare.
The opening pair of Mirza Tahir Baig (20 off 17) and Fakhar Zaman (36 off 23) put 58 runs before Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan provided his side a much-needed breakthrough by bowling the former on a delivery which stayed low. The next over, Fakhar walked back, also bowled off Tom Curran, which brought Abdullah and Sam Billings (33 off 23) together in the middle.
The two put a breezy stand of 71 in 39 balls that set the platform for Lahore Qalandars to post another imposing score, after they had posted 241 – their highest ever total – yesterday and cameos from Sikandar Raza (23 not out off 10), David Wiese (12 off six) and Rashid Khan (18 off 12) propelled Lahore Qalandars to 200 that marked the eighth instance of an HBL PSL side breaching the 200-run mark. No side has scored 200 or more this often.
Islamabad United were clueless against the quality Lahore Qalandars bowling attack. Colin Munro (18 off 14) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (23 off 17) put 41 runs and when the latter was dismissed off Zaman Khan in the fourth over, it opened the floodgates.
Islamabad United lost five wickets for only 14 runs in one of the most epic collapses of this HBL PSL as they slipped from 54 for one to 68 for six and then lost three wickets at the score of 90. David Wiese took three wickets for 17, Sikandar and Rashid took two wickets each.
Scores in brief:
Lahore Qalandars 200-7, 20 overs (Abdullah Shafique 45, Fakhar Zaman 36, Sam Billings 33, Sikandar Raza 23 not out, Mirza Tahir Baig 20; Tom Curran 3-34, Shadab Khan 2-34)
Islamabad United 90 all out, 13.5 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 23; David Wiese 3-17, Sikandar Raza 2-6, Rashid Khan 2-8)
Player of the match – David Wiese (Lahore Qalandars)
