So the Lahore Qalandars are off the mark with a win on the eight time of asking. They maybe eliminated from the competition but today they proved why they are the team everybody would fear for the rest of the league stage. Playing without fear and pressure got the best out of Lahore today, as Islamabad slipped in what should have been a straightforward chase. They play again tomorrow against Karachi Kings. Join us then, bye for now...
Shaheen Afridi: This is a team effort. Our overall cricket was good in the first 5 games, although results weren't on our side. Such is the nature of T20 cricket. I think the new ball was moving around, so we thought 150-160 would be a good total. We realised if we bowl it on a length then it will be difficult for batters. We are 2 time champions, we play with the pride of Lahore Qalandars. Very proud of the way Tayyab Abbas performed today, the whole objective of our franchise is to unearth talent from all parts of the country and nurture them to play for Pakistan. The full credit for that goes to the scouting team of Lahore Qalandars.
Rassie van der Dussen | Player of the Match: Had a great 3 weeks. Happy to get a win today. This pitch brought the bowlers in the match more, we had to apply ourselves more. The message to the guys was to get used to the conditions because once you're in, you can catch up with short boundaries and fast outfields. The idea wasn't to attack particular bowlers, but to attack certain lengths. Anything on a length and short was difficult to hit on this wicket, so I was waiting for the bowlers to pitch it fuller. The chat with the other batters was to be really clear with our plans, commit to it.
Shadab Khan: I think the pitch was pretty good for batting, there were too many soft dismissals from our end. However, I'm pleased with Faheem's performance, he's been our man of crisis. We need to improve quite a bit, we need to build partnerships better, specially in the games we have lost. Today, there were a few lapses in the field as well, we need to address those things. Naseem has returned very well after injury, it isn't easy for players, they tend to take some time but he's back and firing. I think the pitch improved in the second innings, we just neeeded to build good partnerships. Even after losing 5 in the powerplay, we kept striking them well and if we took the game till the last over, anything could have happened with 16 odd runs needed to win.
22:56 Local Time, 17:56 GMT, 23:26 IST: Finally Lahore turn up in the PSL, a bit too late but a superb all round performance today from Shaheen Afridi's team. The game got a lot closer than it was expected at one point, as Lahore rattled the Islamabad batters in the powerplay. A superb running catch from Jahandad sent back Hales without scoring, and then Agha Salman strangled one down the leg side. Zaman Khan struck twice in the powerplay and so did David Wiese to leave IU at 36/5 after the powerplay. Azam Khan and Naseem Shah struck a few meaty blow to keep their side interested, but Lahore kept striking back with wickets. Faheem Ashraf kept fighting with a spirited knock of 41 but ran out of partners at the other end, as Zaman Khan starred for Lahore with a spell of 4/37. Stay tuned for the presentations...
18.5
Zaman Khan to Raees, out Lbw!! Zaman Khan holds his nerve!! Needed just one ball to the number 11 to nail his yorker. Raees lbw b Zaman Khan 2(5)
Zaman Khan to Raees, THATS OUT!! Lbw!!
Review taken against LBW!! Looks pretty close though
18.4
Zaman Khan to Faheem Ashraf, 1 run, pace off and full, angling in from round the wicket. Pushed down to long-off, takes the single!
18.3
Zaman Khan to Faheem Ashraf, FOUR, top shot!! On a length angling across, Ashraf stands tall and punches it through extra cover for a boundary.
Review taken by Lahore for a caught behind. Perhaps just to try and avoid that wide and get a breather. No bat, we play on!!
18.3
Zaman Khan to Faheem Ashraf, wide
18.2
Zaman Khan to Faheem Ashraf, FOUR, six followed by four!! Backs away and slices this full delivery just outside off over the short third fielder for a boundary
18.1
Zaman Khan to Faheem Ashraf, SIX, low full toss, Faheem Ashraf gets low and swings it powerfully across the line. Over deep mid-wicket and sails into the stands.
17.6
Shaheen Afridi to Raees, no run, in the blockhole again from Shaheen, well defended