Shadab Khan’s blazing, unbeaten 41-ball 74 and Agha Salman’s unconquered 31-ball 64 powered Islamabad United to a comfortable eight-wicket victory against Lahore Qalandars in the opening match of the ninth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) on Saturday.

ISLAMABAD UNITED'S INNINGS

Chasing a target of 200-2, the United clinched their first victory of the season by completing the run-chase with 10 balls remaining. Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan spearheaded his team by playing a captain knock, scoring six boundaries and five towering sixes. He smashed a six to sweep his team past the Qalandars.

Shadab was ably supported by Agha Salman, who also took the Qalandars’ bowling attack with utter contempt, which was looking frail, especially with the absence of Afghan spinner Rashid Khan.

Earlier, Zaman Khan trapped Colin Munro (5 off 11). But Englishman Alex Hales played his innings with great zeal, scoring 28-ball 36, studding with five boundaries and one six, before he was removed by Salman Fayyaz.

But it was the batting brilliance from both Shadab and Salman, who ensured to tick all the boxes for their side and racked up the third highest partnership for their side, scoring 67-ball 138 for the third wicket.

The Qalandars' bowlers were clueless and not so challenging for the United. Only Salman Fayyaz (1-23) and Zaman Khan (1-33) managed to take a scalp each.

Other bowlers, including captain Shaheen Shah Afridi (0-31), Jahandad Khan (0-39), Haris Rauf (0-38), and David Wiese (0-24), remained wicketless.

Defeating the Qalandars in their den is no small feat, and our #Sherus have done it with style and teamwork.

A huge shoutout to @76Shadabkhan & @SalmanAliAgha1 for their stellar fifties, leading the charge to victory.

Well done, boys! 🙌#LQvIU #HBLPSL9 #UnitedWeWin pic.twitter.com/VpEi1299Wz
— Islamabad United (@IsbUnited) February 17, 2024

LAHORE QALANDARS' INNINGS

Earlier, Rassie van der Dussen’s unbeaten 41-ball 71 and Sahibzada Farhan’s enterprising 36-ball 57 powered Lahore Qalandars to 195-5 against the United in the opener of the ninth edition of the domestic premium tournament.

The Qalandars were off to a blistering start as Sahibzada Farhan started to treat the United bowlers with utter contempt. On the other hand, his partner, Fakhar Zaman, remained quiet and was flummoxed by Shadab Khan.

Zaman could only score 13-ball-13, lacing with one boundary.

After losing Zaman, Farhan continued to show resistance before he was removed by Tymal Mills. In his 36-ball 57, Farhan smashed eight boundaries and one six.

It was Rassie van der Dussen, who stitched an important 42-ball, 73-run partnership with Abdullah Shafique to help the home side set a formidable total against the United.

Shafique, who was undone by Mills, smashed 22-ball 28, studding with three towering sixes.

Rassie van der Dussen, on the other end, continued to show his brilliance, smashing four boundaries and three sixes.

Other batters, David Wiese (14) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (0), failed to show any significant resistance with the bat.

For the United, Tymal Mills bagged two wickets.

Shadab Khan was brilliant with the bowl and conceded 24 runs in his four overs by getting rid of the dangerous Fakhar Zaman.

Naseem Shah (1-36), who was playing the competitive after a while, had managed to pick up a wicket, conceding 36 runs.

Hard-Luck#HBLPSL9 #KhulKeKhel #LQvIU #QalandarBrothers pic.twitter.com/KmVSiHLacR
— Lahore Qalandars (@lahoreqalandars) February 17, 2024

TOSS

Islamabad United had won the toss and opted to field first against Lahore Qaalandars in the first match of the ninth edition of the PSL at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday.

SQUADS

Lahore Qalandars: Fakhar Zaman, Sahibzada Farhan, Rassie van der Dussen, Abdullah Shafique, Lorcan Tucker, Salman Fayyaz, David Wiese, Jahandad Khan, Shaheen Afridi (capt), Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan

Our 1️⃣1️⃣ for tonight
Islamabad asked us to bat first.#HBLPSL9 #KhulKeKhel #LQvIU #QalandarBrothers pic.twitter.com/rf70sUCLTv
— Lahore Qalandars (@lahoreqalandars) February 17, 2024

Islamabad United: Alex Hales, Colin Munro, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan (capt), Azam Khan, Haider Ali, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Ubaid Shah, Tymal Mills

🚨 Our playing for tonight's game! SIX #Sherus will be wearing #UnitedColors for the first time!

Good luck boys, time to ROAR 🦁🔥

Powered by @foodpanda_pk 🙌#IUvLQ #HBLPSL9 #UnitedWeWin #LaalHaiYeAagHai pic.twitter.com/OUdrL1HE86
— Islamabad United (@IsbUnited) February 17, 2024