Summary Lahore Qalandars posted a 211-run target against Rawalpindiz in PSL 11 at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium, powered by Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Farooq.
KARACHI (Dunya News) – The 27th match of the HBL Pakistan Super League witnessed a commanding batting display from defending champions Lahore Qalandars, who set a formidable 211-run target for debutants Rawalpindiz at the National Bank Stadium Karachi on Saturday.
Batting first after winning the toss, Lahore Qalandars posted 210 for 4 in their allotted 20 overs, driven by a fluent top-order performance and aggressive stroke play throughout the innings. The innings was anchored by opening batter Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Farooq, both of whom struck impressive half-centuries to lay the foundation for a high total.
The opening pair began confidently, rotating strike and finding boundaries with ease as the scoreboard crossed the 50-run mark inside the powerplay. Farooq, in particularly dominant touch, took charge early, accelerating the scoring rate with a series of clean hits, while Fakhar Zaman provided stability at the other end, allowing the partnership to flourish.
Their stand went past 100 runs, putting the Rawalpindi attack under sustained pressure. The partnership eventually reached 121 before Mohammad Amir made the breakthrough in the 11th over, dismissing Farooq for a well-compiled 63 off 41 balls, an innings decorated with five fours and five sixes.
Despite the wicket, momentum remained firmly with Lahore Qalandars as Fakhar Zaman continued to anchor the innings with composure. He brought up his 25th PSL half-century and maintained the scoring tempo, helping his side surge past 150 runs and setting the stage for a strong finish.
Abdullah Shafique then joined Fakhar at the crease and added further impetus, contributing a brisk 26 off 18 deliveries. The duo built a 70-run stand that kept the innings on track for a massive total. However, Razaullah Khan broke the partnership in the 18th over, removing Shafique, before striking again to dismiss Sikandar Raza for a golden duck, leaving the Qalandars at 191 for 3.
Fakhar’s exceptional knock ended in the 19th over when Mohammad Amir returned to claim his wicket. The left-hander scored a commanding 84 off 54 deliveries, including 11 boundaries and a six, underlining his importance in the innings.
In the closing stages, Charith Asalanka and Asif Ali added late fireworks. Asif struck back-to-back sixes in the final over, pushing the total beyond the 200-run mark, while finishing unbeaten on 14 off just six balls. Asalanka remained not out on 1 as the innings concluded at 210 for 4.
For the bowling side, Mohammad Amir and Razaullah Khan were the pick of the attack, both finishing with two wickets each, though they were unable to contain the dominant batting performance that set up a challenging chase for Rawalpindiz.
An epic encounter tonight!
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) April 18, 2026
For the first time ever in HBL PSL, the defending champions Lahore Qalandars face the tournament debutants Rawalpindiz.
Let the play begin! #HBLPSL11 | #NewEra | #LQvRP pic.twitter.com/nDlvNLql2Q
Playing XIs
Rawalpindiz: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Shahzaib Khan, Yasir Khan, Daryl Mitchell, Sam Billings, Dian Forrester, Saad Masood, Cole McConchie, Razaullah Khan, Asif Afridi, Mohammad Amir
Lahore Qalandars: M. Farooq, Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Charith Asalanka, Haseebullah (wk), Sikandar Raza, Asif Ali, Daniel Sams, Shaheen Afridi (c), Usama Mir, Haris Rauf
