In a high-stakes encounter at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore Qalandars kept their tournament hopes alive with a hard-fought nine-run victory over the Quetta Gladiators. Fakhar Zaman's masterclass in power-hitting - a 51-ball 103 - propelled the hosts to 197/6. The Qalandars' attack then delivered a resilient bowling performance that ultimately stifled a valiant chase by the Gladiators.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Qalandars posted a formidable total. The innings belonged almost entirely to Zaman, who was in sublime touch from the outset, dismantling the Quetta bowling attack with 11 boundaries and half a dozen towering sixes. He reached his century in dramatic fashion by launching Abrar Ahmed into the stands, and anchored the innings even as wickets fell around him.
Useful contributions came from Charith Asalanka, who made 31 off 24, and Daniel Sams, with a late cameo of 18 off 12 balls, helped push the total near the 200-run mark. For the Gladiators, Khalil Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers with 2 for 38, while Usman Tariq and Abrar Ahmed managed to pick up a wicket each despite being expensive in their four overs.
Chasing a daunting target, Gladiators started with intent. Shamyl Hussain provided a spark at the top with a rapid 53 off 31 balls, including five boundaries and three sixes. However, the momentum truly shifted when Rilee Rossouw took charge. The skipper played a spectacular innings, smashing 62 off just 29 balls at a strike rate of 213.79, featuring five sixes and as many boundaries. At one stage, Quetta looked well on course to pull off a remarkable chase.
However, the Qalandars' bowling unit showed great composure in the death overs. Haris Rauf was the standout performer with the ball, returning figures of 2 for 28 and providing crucial breakthroughs when the game seemed to be slipping away. Gladiators' chase eventually faltered as they lost key wickets at vital moments. Shaheen Afridi, Sikandar Raza, and Usama Mir all chipped in with a wicket apiece, maintaining pressure and drying up the boundaries. Despite a late 24-run effort from Abrar, Quetta finished their 20 overs at 188 for 7, falling nine short.
@B0$ Lahore Qalandars 197/6 in 20 overs (Fakhar Zaman 103, Charith Asalanka 31; Khalil Ahmed 2-38) beat Quetta Gladiators 188/7 in 20 overs (Rilee Rossouw 62, Shamyl Hussain 53; Haris Rauf 2-28) by 9 runs.
