Islamabad qualify for playoffs after beating Lahore by 49 runs in Karachi match

KARACHI - United’s Cameron Delport’s unbeaten fastest century and Faheem Ashraf's six-wicket haul registered a massive 49 runs win against Lahore Qalandars at the first Pakistan Super League season 4 match held at the National Stadium.

United have qualified for the playoffs. Islamabad set a 239 runs target for Lahore Qalandars after they were invited to bat first.  Delport smashed 117 off 60 balls, Chadwick Walton 48 and Asif Ali's record half century in 17 balls.

In reply, Lahore Qalandars were all out at 189 runs in 20 overs. Sohail Akhtar scored 78 runs while Fakhar Zaman made 38.

Grand Ho Gi Entry!
Double Ho Gi Century!@IsbUnited live up to their anthem and make a grand entry in the #HBLPSL 2019 Pakistan leg with a 49 run win.#KhelDeewanoKa #LQvIU pic.twitter.com/3Hpuk9MCZa

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 9, 2019

Highest ever #HBLPSL team total
Highest T20 total at Karachi
First HBL PSL 100 in ??
16 (most) sixes in an innings
Joint-fastest half-century in the league (@AasifAli2018 with 50 off 17 balls)
Defending champions post 2⃣3⃣8⃣ on the scoreboard.#LQvIU pic.twitter.com/W4bW0Op9s0

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 9, 2019

Qalandars’ speedster Shaheen Afridi kicked-off the Pakistan Super League’s Pakistan leg with a cracking wicket of Islamabad United opener Luke Ronchi.

? @AasifAli2018 brings up his fifty. What an incredible knock this has been.
LIVE: https://t.co/AvvNVO1kH6#HBLPSL #KhelDeewanoKa #LQvIU pic.twitter.com/BFRiwPfPes

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 9, 2019

Karachi's National Stadium is hosting the high-octane clash as teams for the fourth edition of ongoing PSL arrived in the country for the last eight matches to be played in Pakistan.

Qalandars would be out of the tournament for a defeat in any of their two upcoming matches; Islamabad United stands at third spot with 8 points while Qalandars gained 6 points.

Thank you Karachi ♥#HBLPSL #KhelDeewanoKa #LQvIU pic.twitter.com/9c6fuimi0S

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 9, 2019

The match started at 7 PM and cricket enthusiasts thronged the stadium much before the time to see the international stars in action.

The ongoing fourth season of the PSL started last month in the United Arab Emirates, however, the last 8 matches are scheduled to be played in Karachi. Initially three encounters were to be hosted by Lahore, however, the matches were shifted to Karachi.

Teams

Lahore Qalandars Squad 

Fakhar Zaman, Sohail Akhtar, Riki Wessels, AP Devcich, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Rahat Ali, Agha Salman, David Wiese, Sandeep Lamichhane, Haris Sohail.

Islamabad United

Luke Ronchi, Muhammad Sami (c), Phil Salt, Hussain Talat, Cameron Delport, Asif Ali, Chadwick Walton, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Rumman Raees, Mohammad Musa.