PSL 9 points table after Lahore Qalandars beat Islamabad United

Defending champions bagged their first win and have three points after seven games

By Web Desk
March 06, 2024
Lahore Qalandars held the upper hand against Islamabad United in a tense encounter. - PCB

Lahore Qalandars are still at the bottom of the points table despite bagging a win over Islamabad United in the 23rd match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine at the Pindi Cricket Stadium.

Defending champions bagged their first win and have three points after seven games while United is at the fourth spot in the table with seven points.

Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season Nine Points Table

PSL 9 points table. - ESPNCricinfo

Lahore Qalandars held the upper hand against Islamabad United in a tense encounter, successfully defending their target of 163 runs. The early stages of Islamabad's innings were marked by a flurry of dismissals, creating a challenging scenario for Shadab Khan's side.

The troubles began in the first over as Shaheen Afridi claimed the wicket of Alex Hales (0). Agha Salman followed suit, managing only 4 runs before falling to Zaman Khan.

Shadab Khan (7) became the victim of a perfect yorker, adding to Islamabad's woes. Subsequent quick dismissals of Colin Munro (15), Imad Wasim (7), and Jordan Cox (7) left the team in a precarious position, with key players back in the pavilion.

Azam Khan and Faheem Ashraf attempted a comeback with a 35-run partnership, but despite Azam's dismissal for 29, Naseem Shah's cameo kept the two-time champions in the game. Naseem scored a quick 27 off 16 balls before being bowled by Shaheen Afridi, who completed his 100 PSL wickets.

Faheem Ashraf played a pivotal role in resisting Lahore's bowling attack, finishing unbeaten on 41 off 31 balls with five boundaries. However, Zaman Khan's impressive figures of 4/37 and Shaheen Afridi's 2/32 ensured Lahore Qalandars maintained control.

Earlier in the match, Lahore Qalandars posted a competitive total of 163 runs, primarily fueled by Rassie van der Dussen's half-century.

Despite a challenging start, with openers Sahibzada Farhan (2) and Fakhar Zaman (10) falling within the batting powerplay, captain Shaheen Afridi's aggressive cameo and van der Dussen's resilience propelled the defending champions to a respectable total.

The latter emerged as the top-scorer with 64 off 44 deliveries, featuring four boundaries and an equal number of sixes.

David Wiese's unbeaten 24-run cameo further bolstered Lahore Qalandars' innings. Rumman Raees led Islamabad United's bowling attack with figures of 2/19, supported by one wicket each from Naseem Shah, Hunain Shah, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, and Shadab Khan.

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