Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi was delighted with his team’s performance after they defeated Peshawar Zalmi by 29 runs in the ninth match of the ongoing Pakistan Super League at the National Stadium, Karachi on Wednesday. Lahore Qalandars posted a par score of 199 runs after they were put in to bat by Wahab Riaz.
Abdullah Shafique and Fakhar Zaman added a fine opening alliance of 94 runs in the first 10 overs. Zaman, who had scored 106 runs in the last match, contributed with 66 runs off just 38 balls with the help of six fours and three sixes.
Subsequently, Mohammed Hafeez and Rashid Khan added the finishing touches for Lahore Qalandars as they scored 39 (off 19 balls) and 22 (off 8 balls) respectively.
On the other hand, Zaman Khan was the pick of the bowlers for Lahore Qalandars as he scalped three wickets and conceded 32 runs in his quota of four overs. Shaheen Shah Afridi and David Wiese snared two wickets each whereas Rashid Khan was surprisingly expensive in his spell as the leg-spinner was taken for 38 runs in his four overs.
Shaheen Shah Afridi said while talking in the post-match presentation, “I’m feeling happy with the team’s performance. Credit to Zaman, youngster but he proved himself and trusted his confidence. It’s good to see and happy that so many young players are doing well for Pakistan. We have trust in Rashid Khan and the plans he has, hopefully, he will deliver in the next games. Fakhar is a match-winner and he’s done well whenever given the chance here or for Pakistan. Haris is a fighter and good to see his performances, hopefully, he does the same in the future as well”.
Meanwhile, Peshawar Zalmi captain Wahab Riaz gave credit to the opposition bowlers and feels it was always difficult for his team to chase down the target after they lost wickets in a cluster.
Riaz said after the game, “We let them get away at the end. Chasing 200 we needed a good start but we lost Zazai early and then Kamran Bhai and Talat in one over which set us back. Credit to the Lahore bowlers. It’s good to see Haider scoring runs and we will try and put in a good performance in the upcoming matches”.
Lahore Qalandars will next lock horns against Islamabad United on Saturday at the same venue of National Stadium, Karachi.
