In a much-awaited turnaround, Lahore Qalandars finally broke their streak of six consecutive losses in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024 season. Their seventh match against Peshawar Zalmi was washed out due to rain, granting Lahore a free point.
However, it was in their eighth match against Islamabad United that Lahore claimed their maiden victory of the season. Despite this win, Lahore remain at the bottom of the table with just three points.
Batting first, Lahore posted a competitive total of 162/7 as United opted to bowl. Rassie van der Dussen led the charge with a resilient 64 off 44 deliveries, ably supported by Shaheen Afridi’s brisk 30 off 14 balls and David Wiese’s quickfire 24* off 11 deliveries.
Islamabad’s Rumman Raees emerged as the pick of the bowlers, registering figures of 2-19 in his three overs. In response, Islamabad faltered, losing all their wickets for 145 runs. All-rounder Faheem Ashraf stood out with an unbeaten 41 off 31 deliveries, while captain Shadab Khan contributed 29 off 19 balls and Nassem Shah chipped in with 27 off 16 balls.
Lahore’s bowlers delivered a commendable performance, with Zaman Khan shining with figures of 4 wickets for 37 runs in 4.5 overs, while Shaheen Afridi contributed with 2 wickets for 32 runs in his four overs.
Despite the loss, United remain in contention for a playoff spot, currently occupying the fourth position on the table with 7 points. With two games remaining, United faces a must-win situation to secure qualification.
Meanwhile, Karachi Kings, with three wins like United but one point less, faces tough competition from United for qualification, with three more games to go. Sadly, Lahore Qalandars’ hopes for playoffs have already been dashed, marking the end of their journey in the tournament.
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