Mohammad Naeem and Kusal Perera scored half-centuries as Lahore Qalandars set a 203-run target for defending champions Islamabad United in Eliminator 2 of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at Lahore’s Qaddafi Stadium on Friday.
Opting to bat first, Qalandars had a shaky start when Fakhar Zaman, who played a match-winning knock of 47 against Karachi Kings the previous day, was dismissed in the second over for just 12 runs.
Mohammad Naeem, joined by Abdullah Shafique, steadied the ship with a 71-run partnership. Naeem scored a blistering half-century off just 24 balls, hitting seven fours and two sixes, but was dismissed off the very next delivery.
Shafique looked set for another big score, but his innings was cut short when Shadab Khan took an outstanding catch to end his 25 runs knock.
With three wickets down, the Sri Lankan duo of Kusal Perera and Bhanuka Rajapaksa took charge and together they made a 48-run stand. Rajapaksa was dismissed after a powerful 22-run knock, but it was Perera who played the defining innings. He scored a vital 61 runs to help his team post a total beyond 200.
A brief cameo from Asif Ali further lifted the Qalandars’ total, bringing them to 202/8 in 20 overs.
Tymal Mills was the standout bowler, taking three wickets, well supported by Salman Irshad, who claimed two scalps. However, Naseem Shah struggled again, conceding 52 runs in his four overs without taking a wicket.
Both teams are eyeing their fourth final of the tournament, with the winner set to face Quetta Gladiators in the trophy match on Sunday.
Islamabad United: Shadab Khan (Captain), Sahibzada Farhan, Rassie van der Dussen, Haider Ali, Agha Salman, James Neesham, Imad Wasim, Tymal Mills, Naseem Shah, Muhammad Shahzad, Salman Irshad.
Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Afridi (Captain), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Naeem, Abdullah Shafique, Kusal Perera, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Asif Ali, Shakib Al Hasan, Haris Rauf, Rishad Hossain, Salman Mirza.
