In a nail-biting Lahore Qalandars vs Islamabad United PSL 2025 encounter, Lahore brought Islamabad’s record 10-match winning streak to an end with a crushing 88-run win. United suffered their first loss in close to 14 months, aptly at the hands of the very same team that had previously beaten them.
Lahore Qalandars vs Islamabad United: Team Effort Takes Lahore to 209
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Lahore Qalandars posted a close to perfect T20 batting effort up front, where six of the top-order batsmen scored between 22 and 44. Four of their batters were as aggressive in their intent as they each kept strike rates of over 145, allowing the team to set up an imposing 209-run total.
Mohammad Naeem snapped out of his woeful form early with early boundaries. Fakhar Zaman belted 44 off 30, with sixes in big hits on Naseem Shah. The efforts of Abdullah Shafique, Daryl Mitchell, Sam Billings, and Sikandar Raza drove the late surge.
The Qalandars scored 96 runs in the final 6 overs, courtesy of destructive striking by Billings and Raza, with the latter contributing 37 runs off two overs against Dwarshius and Holder.
Imad Wasim Shines Amid United’s Bowling Struggles
Islamabad United’s bowling attack seemed out of sync throughout the innings. Imad Wasim was the pick of the bowlers with two crucial wickets—Fakhar and Shafique—but was not backed by the remaining bowlers, including debutant Hunain Shah and seasoned players like Jason Holder and Naseem Shah.
United Falter in Chase Despite Promising Stand
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In the second innings of Islamabad United vs Lahore Qalandars, 210 seemed like an uphill task. United initially provided resistance in a 69-run stand between Andries Gous and Salman Agha, but couldn’t build upon it.
Sikandar Raza came and interrupted the stand by dismissing Agha in the 12th over. Haris Rauf subsequently mowed down Azam Khan, and it initiated the batting collapse. Gous, United’s highest scorer with 41 off 27, was also dismissed by Rauf.
The middle and lower-order batsmen were unable to stabilize the innings, and Islamabad United lost their last 9 wickets for only 41 runs, getting bowled out well short of the target.
Haris Rauf and Sikandar Raza Dominate with the Ball
Haris Rauf picked up 4 wickets, dismissing the top and middle-order danger. Sikandar Raza also picked up several wickets and scored big with the bat. Their all-around brilliance was central to Lahore’s commanding victory, giving the Qalandars a massive push in the standings.
Standings Impact: Qalandars Soar, United Remain Top
The comprehensive win pushes Lahore Qalandars up to second position on the PSL 2025 points table, with Islamabad United, though having lost, still leading from the top, having won their opening five games.
The clash between Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United turned out to be a statement victory for the Qalandars. With solid bat and ball contributions, they not only put paid to United’s record-breaking stint but also put themselves firmly on the title picture map in the Pakistan Super League.
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