Lahore Qalandars delivered a crushing 95-run defeat to defending champions Islamabad United in Eliminator 2 on Friday, securing their place in the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) final.
Batting first after winning the toss, Lahore posted an imposing total of 202/8, thanks to impactful half-centuries by Mohammad Naeem and Kusal Perera. In response, Islamabad United faltered under pressure, collapsing to 107 all out in just 15.1 overs.
United’s chase got off to a disastrous start. Mohammad Shahzad was dismissed for a duck by Shaheen Shah Afridi, while Sahibzada Farhan fell cheaply to Salman Mirza for just three runs. Rassie van der Dussen managed only seven before being caught behind off Mirza, leaving United struggling at 13/3.
Imad Wasim was promoted up the order but could only manage eight runs. The side found brief stability through a 49-run stand between captain Shadab Khan and Agha Salman. Agha scored a gritty 33 off 26 balls, while Shadab added a quickfire 26 from 14, including three sixes. However, their dismissals spelled the end for United’s resistance, with the rest of the batting lineup offering little support. James Neesham (8) was caught and bowled by Rishad Hossain, and no tail-ender reached double digits. Extras, contributing 11 runs, were the third-highest scorer.
Lahore’s bowlers were clinical. Skipper Shaheen Afridi led the attack with figures of 3 for 3, while Salman Mirza and Rishad Hossain shared three wickets between them, dismantling Islamabad’s batting order with ruthless efficiency.
Earlier in the match, Lahore’s innings was anchored by standout performances from Mohammad Naeem and Kusal Perera. Fakhar Zaman, fresh off a match-winning 47 in the previous game, was dismissed early for 12. However, Naeem, partnered by Abdullah Shafique, revived the innings with a 71-run partnership. Naeem hammered a 24-ball fifty, featuring seven boundaries and two sixes, before being dismissed on the very next ball.
Shafique contributed 25 before falling to a brilliant catch by Shadab Khan. The Sri Lankan pair of Kusal Perera and Bhanuka Rajapaksa then took control, adding 48 runs for the fourth wicket. Rajapaksa scored a brisk 22, but it was Perera’s 61-run knock that provided the backbone of Lahore’s innings. A late cameo from Asif Ali lifted the total to a formidable 202/8.
On the bowling front for United, Tymal Mills impressed with three wickets, and Salman Irshad chipped in with two. However, Naseem Shah had a night to forget, going wicketless while conceding 52 runs in his four overs.
This victory propels Lahore Qalandars into their fourth PSL final, where they will meet Quetta Gladiators on Sunday. Both teams are now vying for the coveted trophy in what promises to be an electrifying showdown.
Teams:
Islamabad United: Shadab Khan (C), 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 (C), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Naeem, Abdullah Shafique, Kusal Perera, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Asif Ali, Shakib Al Hasan, Haris Rauf, Rishad Hossain, Salman Mirza
