Defending champions Lahore Qalandars made a strong statement in the opening match of Pakistan Super League Season 11, piling up an imposing 199 for six against debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen in an unusual at spectators-less atmosphere at Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday night.After being put into bat, Qalandars skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi’s decision to take first strike paid rich dividends as his side combined early aggression with late acceleration to finish just one run short of the 200-mark.
The foundation of the innings was laid by the opening pair of Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Naeem, who stitched together a fluent 84-run partnership inside nine overs. Fakhar led the charge with a typically aggressive approach, piercing the gaps with crisp strokeplay, while Naeem complemented him with attacking intent at the other end.Naeem was the first to depart after a brisk 30 off 19 balls, falling to Hassan Khan, who triggered a brief Qalandars wobble. The innings momentarily lost momentum as Abdullah Shafique was run out cheaply, and Fakhar followed soon after, dismissed for a well-compiled 53 off 39 deliveries, an innings studded with boundaries that kept the scoreboard ticking.From a commanding 84 without loss, Qalandars suddenly found themselves under slight pressure at 94 for three. However, Haseebullah Khan ensured stability in the middle overs with a composed and calculated knock.
He added 37 runs with Parvez Hossain Emon, who chipped in with a modest 14 before falling to Riley Meredith.The innings regained momentum in the death overs as Haseebullah found an able partner in Sikandar Raza. The pair added 45 crucial runs, with Raza providing the late surge through a blistering cameo of 24 off just 10 balls, including two towering sixes. Haseebullah remained unbeaten on a valuable 40 off 28 deliveries, anchoring the innings to perfection.
The finishing touches were applied by Asif Ali and skipper Shaheen, who struck two sixes in a brief but explosive unbeaten cameo of 12 off just two balls, propelling the total to a daunting 199.For the Kingsmen, Meredith and Hassan Khan were the pick of the bowlers with two wickets apiece, while Mohammad Ali claimed one, though the bowling unit largely struggled to contain the Qalandars’ batting firepower.
