Lahore Qalandars 226 for five (Fakhar 115, Kamran 41, Farooqi 3-40) beat Islamabad United 107 all out (Hales 18, Hasan 18, Rashid 4-21, Rauf 2-16) by 119 runs
If Lahore Qalandars’ thrashing of Islamabad United the primary time these sides met this season learn like an aberration, Qalandars gave them one other one, only for good measure. In an imperious efficiency that consolidates their credentials because the favourites to retain this title, United have been swept apart with disdain in Rawalpindi by 119 runs. It’s the heaviest defeat inflicted on any facet in PSL historical past.
After 240 hadn’t proved sufficient for Peshawar Zalmi the earlier evening, Lahore’s choice to bat first was intrepid, however confirmed the religion they place of their bowlers, even on a floor like this. The beginning was wobbly, although, with Abdullah Shafique squeezed down leg within the first over. Crucially, Asif Ali dropped Fakhar Zaman when he was on one, and at the same time as early as that within the recreation, it was a sliding doorways second.
After a good couple of overs, Fakhar walloped Fazalhaq Farooqi for 3 boundaries, earlier than plundering 16 in Faheem Ashraf’s first over. Regardless of Kamran Ghulam struggling for rhythm on the different finish, he solely wanted to maintain turning the strike over, and Fakhar was glad to do the harm. By the tip of the powerplay, Lahore have been as much as 65.
However they knew they wanted an enormous rating towards a batting line-up like United’s, they usually saved going. Fakhar took aside Shadab Khan in a seminal second of the competition, whereas Ghulam got here to life towards Mubasir Khan. And Fakhar continued the onslaught towards the United captain in a passage of play the place 49 runs got here off 14 balls, and the run fee ballooned.
The notion nearly appears quaint now, however on a Pindi floor that has helped batters out to the extent it has this week, the sport wasn’t over then. After seeing off Shaheen Afridi’s first over respectfully, the United machine started to whirr, taking 27 runs off the 2 following overs.
Shadab Khan struck one six off him earlier than the Afghan hit again, a prime edge eradicating the United captain cheaply as soon as extra. The wickets have been falling in clumps now; David Wiese quickly removed Alex Hales as he miscued a slice proper on the keeper. Islamabad United’s personal keeper, and center order talisman Azam Khan, was unavailable following a finger damage he’d picked up within the first innings. In this type of kind, these are massive footwear to fill, with the decrease center order hopelessly ill-equipped for the duty towards bowling of this high quality.
That ability was crystallised in an excellent Rashid supply to Mubasir Khan, drifting in round center and whooshing previous the surface edge to trim the surface of off stump. Faheem Ashraf was trapped lifeless in entrance, and by now an Islamabad mauling was inevitable. Rashid made it 4 wickets by cleansing up Asif Ali, and ending with 4-21 on a floor each different batter had discovered to be a paradise.
Haris Rauf wrapped up the sport with the ultimate two wickets in a chastening night at dwelling for Islamabad to seal a top-two spot for his facet. Each of those sides will undergo to the playoffs, however on present proof, the hole between them is a chasm.
Danyal Rasool is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo. @Danny61000
