PSL 10: Lahore Qalandars crush Quetta Gladiators to register their first victory

Lahore Qalandars secured their first victory of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10 in style, thrashing Quetta Gladiators by 79 runs at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Chasing a big target of 220 runs, Quetta's batting lineup fell apart under pressure and were bowled out for just 140, thanks to an all-round bowling performance from the Qalandars.

Lahore’s skipper Shaheen Afridi gave his team the perfect start by removing Saud Shakeel in the very first over. Asif Afridi followed up by dismissing Hassan Nawaz for just one, and Shaheen struck again to send Finn Allen back for a duck. Quetta were left struggling at 9-3 within three overs.

A brief partnership between Rilee Rossouw and Kusal Mendis gave Gladiators some hope. Mendis smashed a quick 28 off 14 balls before Haris Rauf ended the 45-run stand. Rossouw kept the scoreboard ticking with an aggressive 44 off 19 deliveries, hitting four boundaries and four sixes. However, he too fell soon after to debutant Rishad Hossain, who claimed his maiden PSL wicket.

The middle order couldn’t hold on for long. Sikandar Raza dismissed Shoaib Malik (14) and Akeal Hosein in the same over, while Rishad returned to remove Mohammad Amir and Abrar Ahmed, finishing with three wickets. Asif Afridi then wrapped up the innings, sealing a dominant win for the Qalandars.

Earlier, batting first, Lahore had a strong outing with the bat. Despite an early loss of opener Mohammad Naeem for 10, Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique built a solid 56-run stand. Shafique scored 37 before falling to Akeal Hosein.

Fakhar went on to complete his 20th PSL half-century, anchoring the innings with 67 off 39 balls. He was well supported by Daryl Mitchell, who added a calm, unbeaten 37. The two put on an 80-run partnership before both departed in quick succession.

It was Sam Billings who gave Lahore the final push. The English batter smashed an explosive 50* off just 19 deliveries — the fastest fifty in Qalandars’ PSL history — to help his team post a massive total of 219/6.

For Quetta, Abrar Ahmed and Akeal Hosein took two wickets each, while Faheem Ashraf and Usman Tariq claimed one apiece.

With this win, Lahore Qalandars earned two points and currently sit at the top of the PSL 10 points table. Meanwhile, Quetta Gladiators find themselves at the fourth after their second match.