The highly anticipated PSL 10 opener kicked off in style as Islamabad United secured a convincing 8-wicket win over Lahore Qalandars at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The defending champions began their campaign with authority, showcasing their depth and dominance in both bowling and batting departments.
Islamabad Wins the Toss and Takes Control
Shadab Khan, captain of Islamabad United, won the toss and elected to field first—an early decision that set the tone for the match. His bowlers backed the move with disciplined bowling, putting immediate pressure on the Lahore Qalandars’ batting lineup.
Shaheen Afridi led Lahore, but his side struggled to build momentum. Islamabad’s bowlers consistently struck at key intervals, restricting boundaries and forcing regular wickets. The Qalandars failed to post a challenging total, making life easier for the Islamabad batters.
Read: PSL 10: Shaheen Afridi and Babar Azam Highlight League’s Growing Competitiveness
Lahore’s Struggles with the Bat
Lahore Qalandars, despite being led by one of Pakistan’s top pacers, could not deliver with the bat. Early wickets disrupted the top order, and the middle order couldn’t recover. Islamabad’s bowlers were sharp, maintaining tight lines and exploiting the conditions well. The Qalandars could only muster a below-par total, giving their bowlers little to defend.
Although a few batsmen showed glimpses of resistance, Islamabad’s fielding unit remained alert, cutting off singles and converting half-chances into breakthroughs. The total set was never going to be enough against a batting unit as strong as Islamabad United.
Smooth Chase by Islamabad United
In reply, Islamabad United chased down the target comfortably, losing just two wickets along the way. Their top-order batsmen looked composed, rotating the strike well and punishing the loose deliveries. The run chase was executed with precision, thanks to smart shot selection and steady partnerships.
The openers gave a solid start, and the middle order ensured there were no hiccups. The team reached the target well within the allocated overs, sealing a comprehensive win and sending a strong message to the rest of the teams in the league.
Shadab Khan Leads by Example
Shadab Khan’s leadership stood out as he made sharp bowling changes and maintained pressure throughout Lahore’s innings. He also contributed effectively on the field, energizing the squad with his presence. His tactical awareness and calm approach were key to Islamabad’s clinical performance.
On the other hand, Shaheen Afridi will need to regroup his team and look for improvements ahead of their next match. Despite the defeat, Lahore Qalandars have the talent to bounce back and challenge for the title.
PSL 10 Off to a Thrilling Start
With an exciting opening match now in the books, PSL 10 promises more action-packed cricket in the coming weeks. Islamabad United’s commanding win not only kick-starts their campaign on a high note but also sets an exciting precedent for the rest of the tournament. The competition will now intensify as other franchises prepare to take the field in what’s shaping up to be one of the most competitive PSL seasons yet.
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