KARACHI: Fakhar Zaman’s gutsy half-century and an all-round bowling effort sealed a comprehensive 32-run win for Lahore Qalandars over Rawalpindiz in the 27th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.
Set a daunting 211, Rawalpindiz finished on 178-9, courtesy of valiant half-centuries from Yasir Khan and Saad Masood.
With their seventh straight loss, Rawalpindiz are officially out of the PSL 11 playoffs race.
After losing 17-2 in the first two overs, Daryl Mitchell and Yasir Khan stabilized the innings, putting the team back on course with a 71-run partnership. The pair took advantage of the fielding restriction and propelled the team’s score to 88 in 9.2 overs.
The momentum was with Rawalpindiz but Haris Rauf took wickets on successive deliveries to halt their progress.
Yasir, who remained the core aggressor, made 58 from 29, including three sixes and six fours. Mitchell hit one boundary in his sluggish 11 from 15 balls.
After quick wickets, Rawalpindiz batting lineup faltered and slumped to 134-8 in 16.4 overs. With the game done and dusted, Saad Masood hit a quick-fire fifty to help his side finish on a respectable total.
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Saad hit nine fours and six on his way to 54 from 26 balls before Haris castled him.
For Lahore Qalandars, Haris Rauf was the top-wicket taker, scalping three wickets. Usama Mir and Shaheen Afridi also took two wickets.
Earlier, Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Farooq’s gutsy half-centuries powered Lahore Qalandars to a commanding total
After opting to bat first, Lahore Qalandars racked up 210-4 in 20 overs, largely due to a big opening partnership between Zaman and Farooq.
The duo forged a 121-run partnership in 10.5 overs, laying a strong foundation for the defending champions. Mohammad Farooq remained the core aggressor while Fakhar Zaman played the second fiddle.
Farooq was eventually caught for 63 off 41 balls, laced with five sixes and five fours, while Fakhar continued on.
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The left-hander stitched another partnership of 70 runs with Abdullah Shafique, bringing the team’s total to 191 in 17.5 overs. Shafique scored 26 from 18, striking two sixes and a four.
Fakhar remained the top-scorer with 84 off 54, peppered with 11 fours and a maximum.
Rawalpindiz bowlers did well to curtail the run flow in the final overs, as Qalandars scored 45 from the last five.
For Rawalpindiz, Mohammad Amir and Razaullah picked up two wickets.
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