Fakhar Zaman bullies Islamabad United as Lahore Qalandars enjoy crushing PSL victory

Fakhar was on 1 when he was spilled by Asif Ali off the bowling of Hassan Ali, and the moment came back to haunt the Qalandars during a riotous display with the bat

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Rawalpindi: Lahore Qalandars 226-5, Islamabad United 107

Fakhar Zaman made Islamabad United pay for an early dropped chance as he smashed a rapid century to set up a crushing Lahore Qalandars victory in Rawalpindi.

Fakhar was on 1 when he was spilled by Asif Ali off the bowling of Hassan Ali, and the moment came back to haunt the Qalandars during a riotous display with the bat.

The opener reached his hundred in just 50 balls and went on to make 115 from 57, including eight sixes, to send his team to an intimidating 226 for 5. He was dropped again, this time by Hassan at long-off off Shadab Khan, when on 71.

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Fakhar Zaman on his way to a century for Lahore Qalandars against Islamabad United [Aamir Qureshi/AFP via Getty Images]

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Lahore Qalandars celebrate a Islamabad United wicket during PSL 2023 [Aamir Qureshi/AFP via Getty Images]

He was supported by Kamran Ghulam (41 in 30 balls) and Sam Billings (32 in 22), as the Islamabad attack took heavy treatment.

Mohammad Wasim's four overs went for 48, Shadab bowled two for 32, and only Hassan (1-33) went for fewer than 10 runs per over across the innings.

In the end, though, Fakhar's century wasn't even necessary as Islamabad could only manage 107 as a team.

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Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan walks off after being dismissed in the 2023 PSL game against Lahore Qalandars [Aamir Qureshi/AFP via Getty Images]

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Sikandar Raza and Sam Billings of Lahore Qalandars celebrate an Islamabad United wicket during the PSL8 match [Aamir Qureshi/AFP via Getty Images]

Rashid Khan ran through the middle order, returning figures of 4 for 21 which included the wickets of Shadab, Faheem Ashraf and Hassan to rip the heart out of the reply.

With Azam Khan unable to bat having sustained a finger injury in the field, there was little depth to the United lineup, which fell apart all too easily.

Lahore enjoy a significant net run rate boost as a result of the nature of their win, and are top of the PSL - two points clear of Islamabad.


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