News by “Sana Ullah”
Rassie van der Dussen’s unbeaten 41-ball 71 and Sahibzada Farhan’s dynamic 36-ball 57 propelled Islamabad United to 195-5 against Lahore Qalandars in the opening match of the ninth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) on Saturday.
The Qalandars made a scorching beginning as Sahibzada Farhan commenced with an aggressive onslaught against the United bowlers. Meanwhile, his batting partner, Fakhar Zaman, remained subdued and struggled against Shadab Khan.
Zaman managed only a 13-ball-13, punctuated by a solitary boundary.
After losing Zaman, Farhan persisted in his attack until he was dismissed by Tymal Mills. In his 36-ball 57, Farhan hammered eight boundaries and one six.
Rassie van der Dussen then formed a crucial 42-ball, 73-run partnership with Abdullah Shafique to help Islamabad United post a formidable total.
Shafique, who was dismissed by Mills, struck a brisk 22-ball 28, embellished with three towering sixes.
Van der Dussen continued to showcase his brilliance, notching four boundaries and three sixes.
Other batsmen, David Wiese (14) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (0), failed to offer significant resistance with the bat.
For Islamabad United, Tymal Mills claimed two wickets.
Shadab Khan was exceptional with the ball, conceding 24 runs in his four overs while dismissing the dangerous Fakhar Zaman.
Naseem Shah (1-36), making a competitive return, managed to pick up a wicket, conceding 36 runs.
TOSS
Islamabad United had won the toss and elected to field first against Lahore Qalandars in the inaugural match of the ninth edition of the PSL at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday.
SQUADS
Lahore Qalandars: Fakhar Zaman, Sahibzada Farhan, Rassie van der Dussen, Abdullah Shafique, Lorcan Tucker, Salman Fayyaz, David Wiese, Jahandad Khan, Shaheen Afridi (capt), Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan
