KARACHI: Lahore Qalandars posted a challenging total of 166/4 against Quetta Gladiators, fueled by impressive batting performances from Shaheen Shah Afridi and Abdullah Shafique in a crucial encounter of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 9 at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi here on Sunday.
Opting to bat first, Lahore Qalandars set a formidable target for Quetta Gladiators in their crucial PSL 9 fixture. The defending champions started cautiously, with opener Sahibzada Farhan forming a 38-run partnership with Tahir Baig before both batters succumbed to Abrar Ahmed’s bowling in the sixth over.
Farhan contributed 25 runs off 22 deliveries, laced with four boundaries, while Baig managed 12 runs from 13 balls.
Abdullah Shafique then anchored the innings, teaming up with Shai Hope, who struggled to five runs off seven balls before departing in the 10th over with the score at 69/3.
Shaheen Shah Afridi, promoted up the order, forged a formidable partnership with Abdullah Shafique, propelling Lahore Qalandars into a commanding position.
The duo orchestrated a monumental fourth-wicket stand, accumulating 91 runs off 57 balls before Mohammad Amir claimed Shaheen’s wicket in the final over. Afridi’s aggressive innings of 55 runs off 34 deliveries included two boundaries and four sixes.
Meanwhile, Abdullah Shafique remained unbeaten with a stellar knock of 59 runs off 39 balls, featuring three boundaries and two sixes, to guide Lahore Qalandars to a competitive total.
For the Quetta Gladiators, Abrar Ahmed emerged as the most successful bowler, claiming two wickets, while Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Wasim Jr secured one scalp each.
With Lahore Qalandars already out of contention for the playoffs, Quetta Gladiators require one win from their remaining two matches to secure a spot in the final four. Currently, Gladiators hold the fourth position in the PSL 9 standings with nine points from eight matches, while Qalandars languish at the bottom with three points from nine matches.
