Islamabad trounce Lahore by 49 runs, qualify for PSL playoffs
KARACHI (92 News) – Islamabad United trounced Lahore Qalandars by 49 runs in the Pakistan Super League at National Stadium, Karachi on Saturday.
After being invitedto bat, Islamabad united scored 238 runs for the loss of three wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. Cameron Delport smashed a swashbuckling 117 laced with 13 fours and six 6s, paving the way for victory.
Asif Ali scored 55 with the help of six 6s and three 4s. Walton contributed 48 runs added by six fours and two 4s. Shaheen Afridi, Lamichhane and Wiese grabbed one wicket each.
Lahore Qalandars, chasing the 239-run target, could score 189 runs for the loss of nine wickets in 20 overs. Sohail Akhtar scored 75 runs with eight fours and five 6s. Fakhar Zaman (38), MH Wessels (20), Devich (18) and D Wiese (12) were other main contributors.
Faheem Ashraf took six scalps off 19 runs. Rumman Raees and Shadab Khan took one wicket each.
Cameron Delport was declared Player of the Match.
Talking to the media after the match, Mohammad Sami, the winning captain, said: "Delport was good, but so were Salt and Asif. They set the game for us. The boys' morale is well, so that's why it's reflecting in their fielding effort too. Faheem was excellent and this is good for Pakistan and Islamabad."
Faheem Ashraf, the losing captain, said: "Credit goes to their batsmen, the way they played in the front and the back. Whatever plans we had for them, they managed to play around it. Every game is new, and we hope to play better in the Multan Sultans game.
Cameron Delport, who was the Man of the Match, said: "I was struggling earlier in the season and was happy to win it for Islamabad. I have been to Lahore before, but never played there. I am so happy to play a game in Karachi and Pakistan. I just decided to play straight and have been working hard for the last few weeks. It all paid off tonight. It was a very important game for us."
