Lahore Qalandars Outclass Islamabad United in 19th Match

Lahore Qalandars Outclass Islamabad United in 19th Match: IU’s 1st Defeat in PSL X

Posted On: April 30, 2025
Posted By: Faran
Comments: 0

Match Overview

Islamabad United won the toss and elected to field first, hoping to capitalize on chasing under the lights at Gaddafi Stadium. Lahore Qalandars, however, posted a formidable 209/6 in their 20 overs, driven by significant contributions from multiple batters despite no individual fifty.

In response, Islamabad United collapsed to 121 all out in 16.5 overs, with Lahore’s bowlers, spearheaded by Haris Rauf and Sikandar Raza, dismantling their batting lineup.

Toss and Pitch Report

Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan called correctly at the toss and opted to bowl, banking on their strong chasing record. The Gaddafi Stadium pitch offered a balanced contest, with early assistance for pacers and increasing grip for spinners as the game progressed, making the chase challenging under pressure.

Lahore Qalandars Batting: Teamwork Triumphs

Lahore’s innings was a display of collective brilliance, with no batter crossing fifty but several delivering impactful knocks:

Fakhar Zaman (44 off 30): The opener provided a brisk start, scoring 44 with five fours and two sixes. His aggressive intent set the tone before he was dismissed by Shadab Khan.
Sikandar Raza (39 off 17): Raza’s explosive late-order cameo was game-changing, smashing two fours and two sixes in the 19th over off Riley Meredith, followed by a six and a four in the final over bowled by Naseem Shah. His onslaught helped Lahore cross the 200-run mark.
Sam Billings (38 off 17)*: The wicketkeeper-batsman played a composed yet attacking unbeaten knock, hitting one four and four sixes. His contribution ensured Lahore maintained momentum, though he did not face the final over.
Abdullah Shafique (22 off 17): Shafique played a steady role, scoring 22 with three boundaries before falling to Imad Wasim.
Daryl Mitchell (28 off 18): Mitchell’s 28, including two fours and two sixes, kept the scoreboard ticking until he was dismissed by Ben Dwarshuis.

The 5th wicket partnership of 64 runs in 22 balls between Raza and Billings was pivotal, propelling Lahore to 209/6. Islamabad’s bowlers struggled, with Imad Wasim (2/28) and Jason Holder (2/40) taking two wickets each, while Ben Dwarshuis (1/36) and Shadab Khan (1/38) were expensive.

Islamabad United Batting: A Collapse Under Pressure

Chasing 210, Islamabad United’s batting crumbled against Lahore’s disciplined bowling attack. Individual performances included:

Andries Gous (41 off 27): The opener top-scored with 41, hitting two fours and three sixes, but was dismissed by Haris Rauf in a double-wicket over, leaving United at 104/6.
Salman Agha (36 off 25): Agha offered some resistance with a steady 36, including 2 fours and 3 sixes, before falling to Sikandar Raza.
Shadab Khan (13 off 10): The captain scored 13 with two fours but was caught by Rishad Hossain off Raza, triggering a middle-order collapse.
Jason Holder (0 off 1): Holder fell for a golden duck to Haris Rauf in the same over as Gous, compounding United’s woes.
Azam Khan (1 off 2): The wicketkeeper-batsman’s lean patch continued, falling to Haris Rauf’s beauty.

United’s chase unraveled quickly after a shaky start, with wickets falling at regular intervals. By the 13th over, they were 104/6, and the tail offered little resistance, folding in 16.5 overs.

Lahore Qalandars Bowling: Rauf and Raza Shine

Lahore’s bowlers executed their plans with precision, exploiting the pitch and United’s tentative approach:

Haris Rauf (4/31): Rauf was the standout, claiming four wickets, including a devastating double strike in the 13th over that removed Gous and Holder, reducing United to 104/6. His pace and variations were unplayable.
Sikandar Raza (3/20): Raza’s off-spin was equally lethal, dismissing Shadab Khan, Azam Khan, and Salman Agha. His tight lines stifled United’s middle order.
Shaheen Shah Afridi (1/10): The captain struck early, removing Sahibzada Farhan to set the tone for the chase.
Asif Afridi (1/24): The left-arm spinner bowled economically, picking up a key wicket to deepen United’s troubles.
Tom Curran (1/24): Curran chipped in with the wicket of Imad Wasim, further derailing the chase.

Lahore’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure, with Rauf’s fiery burst and Raza’s cunning spin ensuring United had no answers.

Player of the Match: Sikandar Raza

Sikandar Raza was named Player of the Match for his all-round heroics. His 39 off 17 balls, including two fours and two sixes in the 19th over and a six and a four in the final over, powered Lahore past 200. With the ball, his 3/20, including the wickets of Shadab Khan and Salman Agha, broke United’s resistance.

Impact Player: Haris Rauf

Haris Rauf’s sensational 4/31, highlighted by his double-wicket over dismissing Gous and Holder, turned the match decisively in Lahore’s favor. His raw pace and aggressive approach rattled United’s batting, earning him the impact player nod.

Key Moments

Fakhar Zaman’s Powerplay Surge: Fakhar’s 44 off 30, including a 50-run opening stand with Mohammad Naeem, gave Lahore a solid foundation.
Raza’s 19th Over Explosion: Raza’s two fours and two sixes in the 19th over off Meredith shifted momentum, adding 18 runs to the total.
Raza’s Final Over Blitz: Raza’s six and four in the 20th over off Naseem Shah pushed Lahore past 200, a psychological blow to United.
Haris Rauf’s Double Strike: Rauf’s dismissals of Gous and Holder in the 13th over left United at 104/6, effectively ending their hopes.
Sikandar Raza’s Bowling Impact: Raza’s wickets of Shadab Khan and Salman Agha in quick succession triggered United’s collapse.

Post-Match Reactions

Shaheen Shah Afridi lauded his team’s all-round effort: “Our batters set a challenging total, and the bowlers backed it up brilliantly. Haris and Sikandar were exceptional.” Shadab Khan admitted, “We didn’t execute our plans. Lahore were outstanding, and we need to bounce back.”

Standings Impact

The win lifted Lahore Qalandars to second place on the PSL X points table with 8 points, while Islamabad United remained at the top despite the loss, their five-match winning streak halted. The result underscored Lahore’s growing momentum and United’s need to regroup.

Conclusion

Lahore Qalandars delivered a masterclass, outplaying Islamabad United with a blend of aggressive batting and disciplined bowling. Sikandar Raza’s all-round brilliance and Haris Rauf’s fiery spell were the cornerstones of a victory that showcased Lahore’s depth and determination. For United, the defeat exposed vulnerabilities in their batting, setting the stage for an intriguing second half of the PSL X campaign.

Please follow and like us:

Faran

After completing my Engineering from Bahauddin Zakriya University Multan, I started my freelancing career. Then I started writing News and blogs for different News agencies like Mobile Fun and Urdu Geo News.