PSL 2026: Lahore Qalandars start title defence with 69-run win over Hyderabad Kingsmen

Match Overview

Lahore Qalandars (LHQ) got their title defence off to a terrific start in the Pakistan Super League 2026 (PSL 2026), as they hammered Hyderabad Kingsmen by 69 runs in the opening fixture of the tournament on Thursday, March 26, at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. 

After captain Shaheen Afridi won the toss and opted to bat first, Lahore posted a massive score of 199/6 in their allotted 20 overs, riding on a half-century from Fakhar Zaman. In reply, Hyderabad were bundled out for 130 in their allotted 20 overs as Ubaid Shah (2/27), Sikandar Raza (2/27) and Haris Rauf scalped two wickets each.

Earlier in the first innings, Lahore got off to a terrific start as Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Naeem put on an 84-run stand for the first wicket off 50 balls. Following their dismissals, Abdullah Shafique (4 off 5) and Parvez Hossain Emon (14 off 13) departed cheaply to leave Lahore on 94/3 in 10.2 overs.

However, contributions from Haseebullah Khan (40* off 28) and Sikandar Raza (24 off 10) guided Lahore over the 190-run mark. The duo got involved in a quick-fire 45-run stand off 21 balls for the fifth wicket to bring impetus back into Lahore’s innings.

Later in the second innings, Saim Ayub (17 off 13) and Usman Khan (9 off 6) came out all guns blazing for Hyderabad, but couldn’t continue, falling prey to Ubaid Shah and Shaheen Afridi respectively. Marnus Labuschagne (26 off 22) walked in at number 3 to try and stabilise the innings. However, he failed to find any support from the other end as Hyderabad batters fell like ninepins.

In the end, there was no fight from Hyderabad at all as Lahore registered a comprehensive victory to kickstart their campaign.

Best Batter of the Match

Best Bowler of the Match

Player of the Match

Fakhar Zaman was adjudged Player of the Match for his fiery half-century as he got Lahore off to a terrific start along with Mohammad Naeem. He played a brilliant innings of 53 (39) and played a pivotal role in Lahore’s massive win.

Turning Point

The 45-run stand off just 21 balls between Sikandar Raza and Haseebullah Khan (40* off 28) turned out to be the game changer for Lahore, allowing them to post a score in excess of 190. The big scoreboard pressure eventually worked wonders, triggering Hyderabad’s collapse in the second innings and resulting in a massive win.

What did the captains say:

Winning Captain, Shaheen Afridi (Lahore Qalandars):

We enjoyed it, we've been together for the last week and have had good game time. Fakhar and Naeem were excellent in the powerplay with the batting. We struggled a bit in the middle overs, but this is just the start of a tournament and we have plenty of firepower. Mustafizur and I started at the same time for the Qalandars and we're back together. Rauf has been good for us - we've made changes to the playing XI at times and it's worked. That's my job, when I'm batting, I try to build momentum for the team. We wanted to take wickets and build the pressure.

Losing Captain, Marnus Labuschagne, (Hyderabad Kingsmen):

It's the first hit out for the team; there are lots of lessons to learn. The spinners dragged it back in the middle overs, which was positive, but the batting struggled. We lost wickets in the powerplay and couldn't regain momentum. There are a lot of things that need to go right in a 200-run chase, need partnerships to develop. The conservativeness came down because of the loss of 3-4 wickets, the outfield was fast and there was value for shots.