Lahore Qalandars set 167-run target for Islamabad United after being sent in to bat first in the ninth match of the Pakistan Super League on Wednesday at Sharjah.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Muhammad Rizwan scored 50 off 27 balls courtesy three sixes and five boundaries to push his team’s total to 166-6.
Captain Azhar Ali (27), Dwayne Bravo (26), Naved Yasin (25) and Umar Akmal (23) made small but useful contributions as well.
Muhammad Sami took two wickets for Islamabad. Rumman Raees, Imran Khalid and veteran Saeed Ajmal accounted for one batsman each.In-form batsman Umar Akmal and Naved Yasin recovered Lahore Qalandars after Mohammad Sami of Islamabad United threatened to expose a weak link in their batting line-up by striking twice.
Sami clean bowled Cameron Delport (three) on the first delivery of his spell, and later got Qalandars captain Azhar Ali trapped leg before on 27.
United won the toss and elected to field first against Qalandars as the Pakistan Super League (PSL) venue shifted to Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
Shane Watson was in lead for United after Misbah-ul-Haq failed to recover from his injury while Qalandars once again missed the services of master blaster Chris Gayle.
The Sharjah track has been tipped to produce plenty of runs after Dubai proved to be a happy hunting ground for bowlers in the first eight matches.
Qalandars and United have registered one win each after struggling to get going in the PSL.
Lahore, after losing their first two matches by big margins, came back strongly on Monday, beating Quetta Gladiators by 63 runs courtesy a blistering 95-run knock from Pakistan international Umar Akmal.
The win provided the Qalandars with much needed confidence they require to progress in the tournament and have a chance to win it.
