SHARJAH: Andre Russell hit a last ball six to clinch a thrilling super over win for Islamabad United against a luckless Lahore Qalandars at Sharjah on Friday, leaving Lahore to rue their luck with four defeats in as many games.
Lahore had piled up 15-1 in the super over which Islamabad overhauled off the last delivery. This becomes Islamabad’s second win in four matches.
The stipulated Twenty20 was as exciting as it was thrilling.
Match tied, Islamabad United win the Super Over!
Watch ball by ball highlights at https://t.co/ppEzSxzUv8#IUvLQ #HBLPSL #Cricingif #PSL2018 pic.twitter.com/TgMzPMRkFf— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 2, 2018
Lahore remained unlucky as Islamabad snatched the victory from their jaws when Sami took the last wicket of Salman Irshad after conceding a six earlier to level the score.
Agha Salman’s fearless 48 off 35 went in vain while Mccullum who played with his career lowest strike rate of almost 58 just to lead his team over the victory line.
After two early breakthroughs Islamabad were on the top but Agha Salman played a cameo with six boundaries and two sixes on the other it was Skipper Brendom Mccullum who played sensibly giving his younger partner a chance to demonstrate his natural game.
Umar Akmal was promoted up the order but the script remained the same for him as it was in first three matches. He made four runs.
Fakhar unluckily faced wrong leg before wicket decision by the umpire. He was out without getting off the mark.
Samit Patel and Muhammad Sami shared three wickets apiece.
The decisive bowling attack put lahore to gear as they restricted Islamabad to 121-9 after winning the toss and decided to bowl first on a rain effected pitch.
League spinner Yasir Shah took three, Sohail Khan claimed two while Fakhar Zaman and Salman Irshad got one wicket each.
Lahore started their bowling with a surprise as they brought Fakhar into attack thus the left-arm spinner gave the immediate twist in the match when he struck dangerous Ronchi on the second bowl of the first over.
Islamabad struggled with the early wicket of Ronchi. Sahibzada Farhan along with Duminy could only add 18 runs on second wicket before his snail pace innings of 6 runs came to an end when he caught off Sohail Khan.
Misbah once again failed to score for his side as he just made four runs off 10 balls.
Duminy contributed valuable 34 runs to the total.
Moreover, Asif Ali’s quick 16 off eight balls raised the hope of Islamabad for a while but it ended when Yasir struck him with a flatter delivery.
Later Russell joined young Hussain Talat but unluckily got run out after scoring 15 runs.
The evergreen speedster Mohammad Sami is our Man of the Match tonight#LQvIU #HBLPSL #DilSeJaanLagaDe pic.twitter.com/KrdodwIE4O
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 2, 2018
Young Hussain Talat once again remained dominant with his 33 runs knock to support his team’s total.
Multan Sultans will face Quetta Gladiators while Lahore will meet Peshawar Zalmi in another double header on Saturday.
