Islamabad United thrash Lahore Qalandars by 5 wickets in PSL4 opener

DUBAI: Defending champions Islamabad United thrashed Lahore Qalandars by 5 wickets in the opening match of the much-awaited fourth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in Dubai on Thursday.

Fakhar Zaman's 65 off 44 balls went in vain as Asif Ali's late six-laden cameo powered United to chase down the target with five wickets and four balls to spare.

Islamabad United won the toss and opted to field first, Fakhar Zaman and Sohail Akhtar gave a desired start with 50-run opening partnership in six overs to put the Qalandars in good position to set a decent total of 171/8 in 20 overs.

United's 2018 hero Luke Ronchi gave a solid start to their run chase as Sami's team were 45-0 after 5 overs. However, Rahat Ali's sixth over changed the outlook of the game completely. The southpaw pacer hunted three United batsmen in a span of six deliveries to put Lahore in the driving seat.

Later, Cameron Delport and Hussain Talat rebuilt united's innings and took the score beyond 100. Rahat was brought back into the attack and made another breakthrough on the first ball of the 13th over. It was the dangerous Delport who departed.

After Talat's dismissal United were in real trouble, but Asif and Faheem Ashraf turned the match around. Asif in particular hit few big hits to break the Qalandars hearts, and steered the team to victory for a happy ending in the Super League's opener.

AB de Villiers

All eyes were on the biggest star attraction AB de Villiers, who smashed 24 off 17 balls runs in his debut PSL after retiring from international cricket for South Africa last year. His presence boosts Lahore Qalandars who are looking to turn around their fortune after crashing out of the tournament in all the previous three seasons.

Qalandars also have a new leader in Mohammad Hafeez, replacing former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum who had an underwhelming past two seasons with the team. All-rounders Carlos Brathwaite, Corey Anderson and batsman Fakhar Zaman round up the batting lineup.

Islamabad United, the winners of the 2016 and 2018 editions, also have a new captain in Mohammad Sami after they let go of Misbah-ul-Haq. Luke Ronchi, the most destructive batsman from last year’s PSL, will be back in action, as will a fit-again Rumman Raees.

SQUADS

Islamabad United: Rizwan Hussain, Luke Ronchi (wk), Philip Salt, Hussain Talat, Cameron Delport, Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Samit Patel, Mohammed Sami (capt.), Waqas Maqsood

Lahore Qalandars: Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez (capt.), AB de Villiers, Anton Devcich, Brendan Taylor (wk), Sohail Akhtar, Carlos Brathwaite, Yasir Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Rahat Ali