Harry Brook smashes a century as Lahore Qalandars defeat Islamabad United

The Yorkshire youngster brought up his century off 48 balls to record the second-fastest hundred in PSL history. He finished unbeaten 102 off 49 balls

Lahore: Lahore Qalandars 197-6, Islamabad United 131-9 – Lahore Qalandars won by 66 runs

Harry Brook became the third player to score a century in PSL7 as he steered Lahore Qalandars to a dominant 66-run victory over Islamabad United.

The Yorkshire youngster brought up three figures off just 48 balls to record the second-fastest hundred in PSL history and finished unbeaten on 102 off 49 deliveries.

Fakhar Zaman also chipped in with the bat, scoring a half-century as Lahore closed on 197 for 6, before a team bowling performance spearheaded by Rashid Khan’s economical 2 for 19 quickly killed off any hope of a successful Islamabad chase.

Defeat means Islamabad United are not yet assured of a top-four finish and if Quetta Gladiators beat Karachi Kings on February 20, they may need to beat table-toppers Multan Sultans. However, with net run rate in their favour, they may sneak through even if they lose on Sunday evening.

Batting first, Lahore Qalandars lost Phil Salt, Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Hafeez inside the opening three overs as Faheem Ashraf (3 for 28) wreaked havoc with the ball and in the field.

^{Rashid Khan took 2 for 19 [Arif Ali/AFP via Getty Images]}

Brook walked out with his side teetering on 12 for 3 but quickly changed the complexion of the match, sharing a 101-run fourth-wicket stand with Zaman before the latter was removed for 51 (41) at the end of the 13th over.

Lahore’s no.5 then added a further 30 runs off 15 deliveries with Sohail Akhtar before blasting 54 runs off 27 balls with David Wiese to ensure a blockbuster finish to the innings.

In total the 22-year-old scored 10 fours and five sixes in his mammoth knock, with Waqas Maqsood and Mohammad Wasim particularly punished.

In reply, Shaheen Shah Afridi (2 for 28) made an early breakthrough with the ball, removing Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Mubasir Khan with back-to-back deliveries in the third over to reduce Islamabad to 27 for 2.

Liam Dawson and Mohammad Wasim steadied their side with a 32-run third-wicket stand before the latter was removed by Rashid Khan (stumped Salt) in the seventh over.

Rashid dismissed Azam Khan (10) in the 11th over to pick up his second wicket and the wicketkeeper’s exit triggered a steady flow of wickets which would prevent Islamabad United from constructing any meaningful partnerships.

Zaman Khan (2 for 32), Haris Rauf (2 for 33) and Wiese (1 for 3) all got in on the act as a further five wickets fell before close while Dawson top-scored for Islamabad with 31 off 26.

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