RAWALPINDI – Lahore Qalandars bounced back in spectacular fashion during the fourth match of PSL 10, posting a commanding total of 219 before bowling out Quetta Gladiators for just 140 to claim a 79-run win on Sunday.
After a lackluster opening match defeat, the Qalandars came out all guns blazing. Fakhar Zaman led the charge with a classy 67 off 39 balls, peppered with seven boundaries and three sixes. He found support from Abdullah Shafique, who added 37 from 21 balls, and Daryl Mitchell, who contributed another 37 in a solid 80-run partnership with Fakhar.
The real fireworks, however, came from Sam Billings, whose unbeaten 50 came off just 19 balls. The English wicketkeeper-batsman hit four sixes and four boundaries, propelling Lahore to a massive 219/6 by the end of their innings.
Read more: Lahore Qalandars Outclass Quetta Gladiators in One-Sided PSL 10 Encounter
Gladiators Falter Under Pressure
Quetta’s chase started in disastrous fashion. Skipper Saud Shakeel fell in the opening over to Lahore captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, setting the tone for a collapse. Hasan Nawaz and Finn Allen both departed cheaply, with Allen falling for a duck.
Kusal Mendis tried to steady the ship, scoring 28 from 14 deliveries, and built a brief 45-run stand with Rilee Rossouw. But once Haris Rauf removed Mendis in the sixth over, wickets began to tumble rapidly.
Rossouw’s 19-ball 44 was the only other bright spot for Quetta, while Shoaib Malik (14) and Faheem Ashraf (21) couldn’t withstand the pressure. The entire team folded for 140 in just 16.2 overs.
Bowling Brilliance by Qalandars
Lahore’s bowling was clinical and relentless. Rishad Hossain took three key wickets, while Shaheen Afridi, Sikandar Raza, and Asif Afridi chipped in with two apiece. Their bowling ensured Gladiators had no real chance of a comeback.
Match Summary:
- Result: Lahore Qalandars won by 79 runs
- Lahore Qalandars: 219/6 (Fakhar Zaman 67, Billings 50*, Shafique 37)
- Quetta Gladiators: 140 all out (Rossouw 44, Mendis 28)
Team Lineups
Quetta Gladiators Playing XI:
Saud Shakeel (c), Finn Allen, Hasan Nawaz, Kusal Mendis (wk), Rilee Rossouw, Shoaib Malik, Faheem Ashraf, Akeal Hosein, Mohammad Amir, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq.
Lahore Qalandars Playing XI:
Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Naeem, Abdullah Shafique, Daryl Mitchell, Sam Billings (wk), Sikandar Raza, Shaheen Afridi (c), Jahandad Khan, Rishad Hossain, Haris Rauf, Asif Afridi.
Tournament Update:
After a shaky start, Lahore Qalandars have now registered their first win in PSL 10. Earlier, they were handed a defeat by Islamabad United, who chased down 140 with ease. Meanwhile, Quetta Gladiators came into this match riding high after an emphatic win over Peshawar Zalmi, whom they crushed by 80 runs.
PSL 10 Schedule Highlights:
- Event Duration: April 11 – May 18
- Total Matches: 34
- Venues: Lahore (13 matches), Rawalpindi (11), Karachi (5), Multan (5)
- Key Dates:
- Qualifier: May 13 (Rawalpindi)
- Eliminators & Final: Hosted at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore