Qalandars subdue Kingsmen in one-sides PSL 11 Opener

LAHORE, Mar 27 (APP): The defending Champions Lahore Qalandars (LQ) were too good to lose against Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen (HHK) as they beat the newbies HHK by 69 runs in the opening match of the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at the Gaddafi stadium here late Thursday night.

Chasing a target of 200 set by Lahore Qalandars, as Shaheen Shah Afridi decided to bat first after winning the toss, Hyderabad Kingsmen were reduced to 130-10 in 20 overs after their batting line-up capitulated under pressure.

Chase was never easy as no batter could build a big partnership with 25 being the highest partnership of 25 (16) for the first wicket while Marnus Labuschagne 26 (22) was the highest scorer for the Kingsmen.

No other batter impressed with the bat as Saim Ayub could score 17 (13) only.

In the post-match press conference, Kingsmen captain Marnus admitted the superiority of the Qalandars in all areas of the game, adding that Qalandars are the defending champions and they were deserving winners.

However,he promised to come back strong in their second game on Sunday.

Haris Rauf was the most impressive of the bowlers for LQ as he bowled with speed and precision and claimed two wickets for 22 runs off four overs.

Sikandar Raza and Ubaid Shah also picked a brace for 27 runs each off their quota.

Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mustafizur Rahman picked one wicket each.

Last two batters Akif Javed and Mohammad Ali were run out.

Earlier,Fakhar Zaman carried his good from with the bat from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup as he scored 53 (39) and notched up a commanding 84 (50) runs partnership for the first wickets and this partnership set the tone for the rest of the innings for Qalandars when the went on to reach 199-6 off 20 overs.

Qalandars lost four wickets in quick succession as they scored some 50 runs in the next seven overs but wicket-keeper batter Hassebullah Khan’s unbeaten 40 (28) and Sikandar Raza’s cameo 24 (10) powered Qalandars to a big total.

It was Shaheen Afridi’s two 6s off two balls which leap-frogged Lahore to 199-6. Australian Riley Meredith and Hassan Khan bagged a brace for 39 and 30 runs off four overs each while Mohammad Ali picked one wicket for 50 runs off three overs.

No other bowler including spin duo of Saim and captain Marnus could cause any damage while Akif Javed also remained wicketless in his two overs.

Though Sikandar Raza was a strong contender of Player of the Match (POTM) for his all-round performance but Fakhar Zaman was declared POTM for his brilliant half-century which led Qalandars to a big total.

Karachi Kings will face off Quetta Galdiators in the night match at he Gaddafi stadium on Friday evening.