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LAHORE: Defending champions Lahore Qalandars began their Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 campaign in commanding fashion, registering a comprehensive 69-run victory over debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.
Chasing a daunting 200-run target in their maiden PSL outing, the Kingsmen never found momentum and were eventually bowled out for 130 in their 20 overs.
Captain Marnus Labuschagne top-scored for Hyderabad with a modest 26 off 22 deliveries, while No.9 batter Riley Meredith remained unbeaten on 19.
Apart from them, only Saim Ayub (17), Hammad Azam (10) and Mohammad Ali (10) managed to reach double figures in an otherwise underwhelming chase.
For Lahore, the bowling effort was evenly shared, with Haris Rauf, Sikandar Raza and Ubaid Shah claiming two wickets apiece, while Mustafizur Rahman and skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi chipped in with one each.
Earlier, opting to bat first, Lahore Qalandars posted an imposing 199-6, thanks largely to a fluent half-century from Fakhar Zaman and a strong finish from the middle order.
The hosts made a flying start as Fakhar and Mohammad Naeem stitched together an 84-run opening stand, putting immediate pressure on the Kingsmen bowlers.
Naeem’s brisk 30 off 19 balls, featuring four boundaries and a six, set the tone before he was dismissed by Hassan Khan in the ninth over.
The innings, however, briefly lost momentum as Lahore suffered a mini-collapse, losing Abdullah Shafique to a run-out and then Fakhar shortly after he completed his half-century. The left-hander remained the standout performer, scoring 53 off 39 deliveries, laced with nine fours.
A steady 37-run stand between Haseebullah Khan and Parvez Hossain Emon helped stabilise the innings before the latter departed for 14.
Lahore then accelerated in the death overs, with Haseebullah combining with Sikandar Raza for a quick 45-run partnership. Raza provided the late impetus with a 10-ball 24, striking two sixes and two fours, while Haseebullah remained unbeaten on a well-crafted 40 off 28 deliveries.
Cameos from Asif Ali (9) and Shaheen Afridi (12 not out) ensured the Qalandars finished just one run short of the 200-mark.
For Hyderabad, Riley Meredith and Hassan Khan picked up two wickets each, while Mohammad Ali accounted for one dismissal.
