Faheem, Asif help United down Qalandars in PSL4 opener

Faheem Ashraf’s all-round display and Asif Ali’s blistering knock was enough for Islamabad United to beat Lahore Qalandars by five wickets in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season four opener in Dubai on Thursday. 

The day started with United’s new captain Mohammad Sami winning the toss and opting to field first. 

His decision first looked an incorrect one as Qalandars reached 121 for the loss of one wicket in just 13 overs and a score in excess of 200 looked a real possibility. 

However, United made a grand comeback in the later stages and restricted Qalandars to just 171 for the loss of eight wickets in their allotted 20 overs. 

Opener Fakhar Zaman was the star of the innings for the batting team as he scored 65 off just 44 balls with the help of six fours and three sixes, whereas for the bowling team, it was Faheem who starred with figures of just two for 24 in his four overs. 

In reply, United chased down the target in the final over at the expense of just five wickets, thanks to an unbeaten 59-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Faheem and Asif. 

Right-hander Asif finished with an unbeaten 36 off just 19 balls with the help of two fours and three sixes, whereas Faheem scored 23 not out off just 11 balls with the help of two fours and two sixes. 

For Qalandars, pacer Rahat Ali was the star of the show as he claimed figures of four for 29 in his four overs.