Qalandars register first win of PSL by beating Quetta

Lahore: Pakistan Super League (PSL) returns to Lahore once again where Qalandars defeated the defending champions, Quetta Gladiators by 37 runs.

Lahore got this success after seven consecutive defeats as Qalandars lost the last four matches of the tournament last year. After scoring 209 runs in the first innings, fans of Lahore Qalandars on social media started cheering on trends like #LahoreQalandars and #LQvQG.

Man of the match Dunk smashed breezy and entertaining 93 and Patel hit aggressive 71 as both the top scorers set the flow of runs before a charged crowd. Both players displayed a power show hitting boundaries all around the ground, setting new innings total record of the event. Their 155-run partnership took Qalandars to 209, while the Quetta Gladiators were all out on 172.

So far, the defending champions Quetta Gladiators have won 3 matches while Multan Sultans leads the table with 4 victories. Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi, who are usually at the top of the table, are currently ranked fourth and fifth. Karachi Kings take the third spot with six points to their name and Lahore Qalandars still remain at the bottom.

Match Preview

Quetta captain Sarfaraz Ahmed won the toss and decided to field first. Qalandars scored 209 for 5 wickets in the first 20 overs. Qalandars did not have a good start, and their first 3 players returned to the pavilion on 50 runs. Fakhar Zaman 15, Chris Lane 27 and Mohammad Hafeez was dismissed on a duck.

Lahore Qalandars to play against Quetta Gladiators today

After that, Ben Dunk and Samit Patel rained down fours and sixes and the team’s score was 209. The two batsmen set up an excellent contribution of 155 runs in 12 overs, with Dunk scoring 93 off 43 balls and Patel scoring 71 off 40 balls. Together they blew the Gladiators’ tough bowling attack.

The entire team of Gladiators was booked for 172 in 20 overs and Qalandars won the match by 37 runs. From Lahore, Salman Irshad took four wickets while Smith Patel, Dilbar Hussain and Mohammad Faizan took two wickets each.

This is the first victory of the Lahore Qalandars in the fifth edition of the PSL. The Lahore Qalandars team will play against Islamabad United on Wednesday (today) at Gaddafi Stadium, who are in fourth position with five points in six games.