Fakhar, Billings power Qalandars to 79-run win over Gladiators for first PSL X victory

Fakhar Zaman and Sam Billings hit rapid half-centuries while Lahore Qalandars' bowlers dominated as the 2022 and 2023 champions crushed Quetta Gladiators by 79 runs in their second match of the HBL Pakistan Super League on Sunday.

The game, part of the PSL’s 10th edition, was played at Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi.

Lahore, batting first after being put in by Quetta captain Saud Shakeel, posted a massive 219-6 in their 20 overs. Fakhar Zaman led the charge with a fluent 67 off 39 balls, hitting seven fours and three sixes. He was well supported by Daryl Mitchell, who scored 37 off 23 balls, and Abdullah Shafique, who made a quick 21-ball 37.

Shafique smashed six fours and a six, punishing Mohammad Amir and Faheem Ashraf with aggressive strokes before falling to Akeal Hosein. Mitchell added 80 off 47 balls with Fakhar before being stumped off Abrar Ahmed.

Billings then exploded with the bat, smashing 50 not out off just 19 balls. He hit four boundaries and four sixes, lifting Lahore past 200. The team scored 66 runs in the last five overs.

Abrar (2-33) and Hosein (2-40) were the pick of Quetta's bowlers. Off-spinner Usman Tariq impressed with 1-31 in four overs, but the rest of the attack struggled. Ashraf gave away 49 in just three overs, while Amir was hit for 46 in his four.

In reply, Quetta folded for 140 in 16.2 overs. Shaheen Afridi struck early, removing Saud Shakeel (1) and in-form Finn Allen (0) in his two-over spell, which cost just six runs. Asif Afridi dismissed Hasan Nawaz (1), leaving Quetta reeling at 9-3.

Kusal Mendis and Rilee Rossouw added 45 for the fourth wicket, offering brief resistance. Mendis scored 28 off 14 balls, with two sixes and three fours, before falling to Haris Rauf.

Rossouw looked dangerous, hitting 44 off 19 with four fours and four sixes, but was bowled by Bangladesh spinner Rishad Hossain as he tried a big shot.

From there, Quetta collapsed. Sikandar Raza dismissed Shoaib Malik (14) and Akeal Hosein (13) in the same over, and Rishad returned to take two more—Mohammad Amir (1) and Abrar Ahmed (6).

Asif Afridi wrapped up the innings by clean bowling Faheem Ashraf, who made 21 off 18 with three fours and a six.

Rishad finished with 3-31, while Raza took 2-12 in three overs. Asif grabbed 2-20 and Shaheen 2-6.

Lahore’s victory was their first of the tournament after a loss in the opening match.