United crush Qalandars by 8 wickets in dominant start to PSL X

Islamabad United began their Pakistan Super League title defense with an emphatic eight-wicket win over Lahore Qalandars in the opening match of the tournament’s 10th edition at a packed Pindi Cricket Stadium on Friday night.

United, the most successful team in PSL history with three titles, made light work of the 140-run target, chasing it down with 14 balls to spare and eight wickets in hand.

Left-handed New Zealand batter Colin Munro anchored the chase with an unbeaten 59 off 42 balls. He struck seven boundaries and one six, bringing up his fifty off 35 deliveries. He was ably supported by Salman Ali Agha, who finished on 41 not out from 34 balls, including three fours and a six.

The pair added an unbroken 80-run stand for the third wicket, guiding United home after they were briefly jolted by the early dismissal of Andries Gous, the American batter, who was bowled by left-arm spinner Asif Afridi for just four in the second over.

Sahibzada Farhan chipped in with 25 off 24 balls and shared a 55-run stand with Munro before falling to Haris Rauf, caught at square leg by Sikandar Raza.

Earlier, Qalandars, who were champions in 2022 and 2023, put on a poor batting display after being asked to bat first by United skipper Shadab Khan.

They were bowled out for 139 in 19.2 overs, with only Abdullah Shafique showing any real resistance.

Shafique, who has struggled recently in international cricket, played a lone hand with a fluent 66 off 38 balls, hitting six fours and three sixes. His aggressive innings briefly gave Qalandars hope, but he was dismissed in the 19th over, caught in the deep by Munro off Naseem Shah.

Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza was the only other player to reach double figures with some purpose, scoring 23 off 21 balls with a six and three fours, before falling to Shadab.

United’s bowlers maintained pressure throughout the innings.

West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4-26 in four overs. He struck crucial blows in the middle overs, including two wickets in two balls to remove Jahandad Khan and David Wiese for ducks.

Shadab himself claimed 3-25 in 3.2 overs, removing key middle-order batters including Sam Billings for a golden duck and later wrapping up the innings with the wicket of Haris Rauf.

Australian pacer Riley Meredith dismissed returning opener Fakhar Zaman for 1, while Imad Wasim accounted for Daryl Mitchell (13).

Islamabad United's Jason Holder (C) celebrates after the dismissal of Lahore Qalandars' Muhammad Naeem (R) as he walks back to the pavilion during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Twenty20 cricket match between Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars' at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on April 11, 2025. AFP

Qalandars were reeling at 58-4 in the ninth over and never recovered, losing wickets at regular intervals despite Shafique’s resistance.

Friday’s match also marked the first time Rawalpindi hosted the PSL opening ceremony.

The event featured performances by popular artists including Abida Parveen, Ali Zafar, Abrar-ul-Haq, and Young Stunners, with fireworks lighting up the night sky before the first ball was bowled.

The tournament, comprising 34 matches, will be held across four cities — Lahore, Rawalpindi, Karachi, and Multan.

This year, the PSL is being held in April-May for the first time to avoid a clash with the ICC Champions Trophy, which Pakistan hosted earlier this year.

Islamabad United will next face Multan Sultans, while Lahore Qalandars will look to bounce back in their second fixture later this week.