Islamabad United have defeated defending champions Lahore Qalandars by eight wickets in the opening match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) nine courtesy of strong batting performances by captain Shadab Khan and Salman Ali Agha.
In the match played at Gaddafi Stadium, United completed the chase in the 19th over. Shadab hit 74* off 41 balls while Salman scored 34-ball 61. The duo posted an unbeaten partnership of 138 runs.
Alex Hales also made a notable contribution earlier in the chase scoring 28-ball 36. Salman Fayyaz and Zaman Khan bagged a wicket each.
Earlier, Lahore Qalandars exhibited their batting prowess, setting a target of 196 runs for Islamabad United, courtesy of Sahibzada Farhan and Rassie van der Dussen's stellar batting performances.
Choosing to bat first, Lahore Qalandars initiated their innings with a blazing start, as openers Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman established a solid foundation with a brisk partnership. While Farhan led the scoring, accumulating runs rapidly, Zaman made a valuable contribution before departing in the seventh over.
Farhan continued his aggressive stroke play, achieving his maiden PSL half-century in just 29 deliveries, demonstrating his ability to find boundaries effortlessly. Although his departure in the 11th over briefly slowed the pace, Abdullah Shafique and Rassie van der Dussen quickly regained momentum, forming a crucial partnership to propel Qalandars' innings forward.
With Shafique providing crucial support, van der Dussen showcased his batting prowess with a blistering unbeaten knock, anchoring the innings with a fluent 71 off just 41 deliveries. His aggressive stroke play, featuring four boundaries and three sixes, strengthened Lahore's total in the final overs, establishing a formidable target for Islamabad United.
Despite spirited bowling efforts from Islamabad United, led by Tymal Mills, who claimed two wickets for 45 runs, Lahore Qalandars' batting onslaught proved too formidable to contain. Shadab Khan and Naseem Shah also contributed with a breakthrough each.
