Lahore Qalandars beat Quetta Gladiators to move fourth on PSL points table

Match Overview

An authoritative hundred by opener Fakhar Zaman helped Lahore Qalandars (LQ) beat Quetta Gladiators by 9 runs in match No. 30 of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) on Tuesday, April 21, at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Electing to bat first after winning the toss, Qalandars lost their opener, Mohammad Farooq, in the second over with just seven runs on the board. However, Fakhar and Abdullah Shafique added 57 runs for the second wicket to lift the team after the early blip.

The third-wicket partnership between Fakhar and Charith Asalanka was the most crucial one of Lahore's innings. The duo added 96 runs, with Fakhar doing the bulk of the scoring.

Fakhar batted at a strike rate of 201.96 and never allowed the Quetta bowlers to dictate terms. His innings was studded with 11 fours and six sixes.

Two boundaries and a six by Daniel Sams at the fag end of the innings helped Qalandars post 197 for the loss of six wickets. Khalil Ahmed was the pick of all the Quetta bowlers who finished with figures of 2/38 in four overs.

In reply, skipper Saud Shakeel (17 off 17) and Shamyl Hussain (53 off 31) got Quetta off to a steady start, scoring 49 in 5.4 overs before Sikandar Raza snapped the partnership. Hussain (53 off 31) then added 39 alongside Rilee Rossouw before he fell short of his ground while attempting a run in the 10th over.

Rossouw (62 off 29) was the only one thereafter who threatened to take the game away from Lahore's grasp, but it wasn't enough. Ubaid Shah dismissed him on the penultimate ball of the 15th over to almost seal the game for Lahore.

Abrar Ahmed played an attractive cameo (24* off 14), but that could only reduce the margin of the loss. Haris Rauf impressed with his bowling, claiming 2/28 in four overs.

Top run-scorer of the match

Top wicket-taker of the match

Player of the Match

Fakhar Zaman

Fakhar Zaman proved yet again why he is considered the most destructive opener in Pakistan's cricketing circles. He was unstoppable and toyed with Quetta's bowling attack.

Turning Point

Rilee Rossouw's wicket by Ubaid Shah was the turning point. Rossouw was batting at a strike rate of 213.79 and had already five fours and as many sixes before Shah got him with a short delivery.

What the captains said

Winning Team Captain, Shaheen Afridi (LQ)

"(On winning such a tight match) This team is known for never giving up. But honestly speaking, I think that was not such a tight win. We will dedicate this win to Sikandar's father - he was here and the victory is for him. I think it was Fakhar's third Player of the Match this season and his hundred today will be memorable for us. Those runs were very valuable. (On areas to improve upon) A lot of things but we will try to keep it as simple as possible."

Losing Team Captain, Saud Shakeel (QG)

"It was a top-quality knock from Fakhar but we had pulled things back at the end with the ball. 200 was a par score on this surface. I think we were in a really good batting phase at one point as well but Rossouw's wicket hurt us. If he had stayed for one or two more overs, the match situation could have been different. (On their qualification hopes) I feel even if there's 1 percent chance to qualify, you will be hopeful. The things that are not in our control, we won't focus on them but we have one more match to go and we will try to win that."