In the opening match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 held at Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday, Lahore Qalandars posted a challenging target of 200 runs against the newly introduced Hyderabad Kingsmen. After winning the toss, Lahore opted to bat first, setting the stage for an exciting contest.
The Qalandars got off to a strong start with an 84-run opening partnership between left-handed batsman Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Naeem. Naeem contributed 30 runs off 19 balls, including four boundaries and a six, before being dismissed by Hassan Khan in the ninth over.
Following this promising start, Lahore experienced a brief collapse, losing two wickets in quick succession. Abdullah Shafique was run out after scoring just four, and soon after, Fakhar Zaman, who had reached a well-crafted half-century, was also dismissed by Hassan Khan. Fakhar top-scored with 53 runs off 39 balls, striking nine fours during his innings.
After these setbacks, Haseebullah Khan and Parvez Hossain Emon stabilized the innings with a 37-run partnership. Emon was dismissed for 14 runs in the 16th over, but Haseebullah continued to build momentum alongside Sikandar Raza. The duo added 45 runs rapidly, with Raza scoring a quick 24 runs off 10 deliveries, including two fours and two sixes.
Haseebullah remained unbeaten on 40 runs from 28 balls, while Asif Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi contributed useful runs towards the end. Asif scored 9 runs, and Shaheen remained not out on 12, helping Lahore reach a total close to the 200-run mark.
On the bowling front, Hyderabad Kingsmen’s Riley Meredith and Hassan Khan each claimed two wickets, while Mohammad Ali took one wicket. The target set by Lahore Qalandars presents a significant challenge for the debutant Hyderabad Kingsmen in this PSL opener.
