Defending champions Islamabad United Friday kicked off their Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 campaign with a commanding eight-wicket victory over Lahore Qalandars, winning the opening match at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

 

Lahore Qalandars, after being put in to bat first, struggled to build momentum and were bowled out for 139 runs in 19.1 overs. 

 

Opening batter Abdullah Shafique was the standout performer, scoring a resilient 66 off 38 balls, laced with six boundaries and three sixes.

 

Lahore’s innings got off to a disastrous start as Fakhar Zaman was dismissed for just one run in the second over, leaving the team under pressure at 4/1.  Shafique attempted to steady the innings, forming short-lived partnerships with Daryl Mitchell (13) and Sikandar Raza (23), but their dismissals derailed the Qalandars’ progress.

 

None of the remaining batters managed to reach double figures as Islamabad’s disciplined bowling attack tightened the screws.

 

Jason Holder was the pick of the bowlers for Islamabad United, delivering a match-winning spell of 4/26 in four overs. Skipper Shadab Khan also made a significant impact, claiming 3/26, while Imad Wasim, Naseem Shah and Riley Meredith chipped in with a wicket each.

 

Chasing a modest target of 140 runs, Islamabad United comfortably reached the finish line in 17.4 overs, losing just two wickets in the process.

 

Colin Munro led the charge with an unbeaten 59 off 42 balls while Agha Salman provided solid support with an unbeaten 41 off 34 balls. The duo stitched together an 80-run partnership, ensuring a smooth victory for Islamabad.

 

Earlier in the chase, Sahibzada Farhan contributed 25 runs off 24 balls, laying a steady foundation.

 

For Lahore Qalandars, Haris Rauf and Asif Afridi managed to pick up one wicket each but couldn’t prevent Islamabad from securing an easy win.