In a gripping contest at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Lahore Qalandars managed to hold their nerve in a nail-biting final over to defeat Quetta Gladiators in the 30th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 on Tuesday.
Chasing a challenging target of 198, Quetta Gladiators were restricted to 188 for 7 despite a promising start and some solid batting performances. The innings began on a positive note as openers Shamyl Hussain and captain Saud Shakeel compiled a fluent 49-run partnership. However, Sikandar Raza ended the stand by dismissing Saud for 17 runs off 17 balls.
Shamyl then took charge alongside Rilee Rossouw, pushing the score beyond 50 while continuing his impressive form with a third PSL half-century. Shamyl’s innings concluded with a superb 53 off 31 deliveries, featuring five boundaries and three sixes, after he was run out. The momentum shifted momentarily when Haris Rauf dismissed Hasan Nawaz for a first-ball duck immediately afterwards.
Rossouw kept Quetta in contention with a fiery knock, reaching his 13th PSL fifty by scoring 62 runs off just 29 balls, including five fours and five sixes, before falling to Ubaid Shah. Despite brief resistance from Khawaja Nafay and Abrar Ahmed, wickets fell at regular intervals, hampering the chase.
With 19 runs needed off the final over, Quetta could not complete the pursuit as Haris Rauf bowled a disciplined over to clinch the win for Lahore Qalandars. Abrar Ahmed remained unbeaten on 24 from 14 balls, but it was insufficient to secure victory.
Earlier, Lahore Qalandars posted a formidable total of 197 for 6 after electing to bat first. Fakhar Zaman was the standout performer, scoring a brilliant 103 off 51 balls, smashing 11 fours and six sixes to anchor the innings. He forged important partnerships with Abdullah Shafique and Charith Asalanka, both contributing valuable runs.
Asalanka added 31 runs off 24 balls before his dismissal, while Sikandar Raza and other batsmen contributed late runs to push Lahore past the 190-run mark. Quetta’s bowling was led by Khalil Ahmed and Usman Tariq, who took crucial wickets during the innings.
Fakhar Zaman was named Player of the Match for his outstanding century, which laid the foundation for Lahore Qalandars’ narrow victory over Quetta Gladiators.
