LAHORE: Lahore Qalandars posted a strong total of 199 for six against Hyderabad Kingsmen in the PSL 11 opener at Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday. Fakhar Zaman led the charge with a brilliant half-century.
Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi chose to bat first, and the decision paid off. The Qalandars made a flying start. Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Naeem shared an 84-run partnership for the opening wicket.
Mohammad Naeem fell for 30 from 19 balls, caught at long-on by Rizwan Mehmood off Hassan Khan. Soon after, Abdullah Shafique was run out for four. Fakhar Zaman reached 53 off 39 balls, hitting nine fours, before falling to Hassan Khan.
Haseebullah Khan and Parvez Hossain Emon steadied the innings with a 37-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Emon fell for 14 in the 16th over.
Haseebullah then paired with Sikandar Raza for a quick 45-run stand. Raza scored 24 off 10 balls, hitting two sixes and two fours. Haseebullah remained unbeaten on 40 from 28 balls. Asif Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi added valuable late runs, scoring nine and 12 not out.
For Hyderabad Kingsmen, Riley Meredith and Hassan Khan took two wickets each. Mohammad Ali picked up one.
Lahore Qalandars now set Hyderabad Kingsmen a challenging target of 200 runs in this thrilling PSL 11 opener.
