Fakhar Zaman’s 94-run knock help Qalandars beat Quetta Gladiator

SHARJAH: Fakhar Zaman bamboozled 94 runs off 50 balls helped Lahore Qalandars beat Quetta Gladiators by 17 runs in the 26th fixture of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season three on Wednesday.

Fakhar Smashed the ball brilliantly all around the ground after he opened the innings with Anton Devcich as they were sent to bat first. He struck nine boundaries and six sixes in his tremendous knock, helping the team to register their third straight victory.

Qalanders reached the second highest total of 186 against loss of four wickets and set Gladiators a challenging target of 187 to win.

Gladiators managed to score 169/6 in the match, with Rilee Rossouw (42) being the lead scorer.

Earlier, Sarfraz Ahmed-led Gladiators won the toss and elected to field first.

Following the dismissal of Zaman and Devcich,  wicketkeeper-batsman Gulraiz Sadaf scored 42 runs off 27 balls in the middle-overs stabilised Qalandars’ innings soon after the departure of skipper Brendon McCullum.

Young Agha Salman this time around failed to show his class but at the end Gulraiz Sadaf (42) and Sunil Narine (20) put 45 runs partnership to end on a high note for Lahore.

Anwar Ali, Rahat Ali, Hassan khanand Mir Hamza took one wicket each.

Lahore Qalandars have already made their way out of the tournament while on the other hand Quetta has qualified for the Play-offs.

“We will bowl first and try to restrict them [Lahore] earlier,” Sarfraz said after winning the toss.

“Lahore’s batting line looks dangerous, we will tackle them with good bowling line and length,” he added.

“There is nothing left for us to achieve in this tournament accept to end on a high-note winning the last two matches,

“The pitch looks good to bat on, we are looking forward to put a lengthy total on the scoreboard,” McCullum said.