Islamabad United Outplayed Lahore Qalandars in PSL X Opener

 Javeria Tahira 

Lahore Qalandars: 139 | Abdullah 66(38), Sikandar 23(21) | Holder 4/26, Shadab 3/25

Islamabad United: 143/2 (17.4) | Munro 59*(42), Agha 41*(34) | Asif 1/15, Rauf 1/34  

Islamabad United started their Pakistan Super League defense in classy fashion, winning convincingly by eight wickets over Lahore Qalandars in the season's opener at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. 

The April 11 contest was expected to be closely contested, but Islamabad's top-order masterclass turned the game into a one-sided contest of nature as they chased a low total with utter ease.

Islamabad United began their chase of the 2025 PSL title by overwhelming Lahore Qalandars by eight wickets. Chasing 140, United's run chase was easy after a slight hiccup at 37/1 after the powerplay and 65/2 at the end of the 9th over. However, Colin Munro and Salman Agha made sure there were no more hiccups, taking their team home with ease. Agha steadied the innings while Munro took the firebrand's role, playing shots like boundaries with so much ease. They reached the target with 14 balls to spare courtesy of an unbroken 94-run partnership between Salman Ali Agha (41*) and Colin Munro (59*). Agha finished the chase with four on the cover off Jahandad Khan.

Earlier, Jason Holder's late strike with a four-wicket haul and Shadab Khan's three-wicket spell kept Lahore to 139. None of Qalandars’ batters managed to make an impact, except for Abdullah Shafique, who scored a courageous 66 off 38 balls.                                                         

Earlier, Islamabad United won the toss and decided to bowl first, which provided Lahore with the chance to bat. The move was a wise one as United offered a balanced performance with both bat and ball. They restricted Lahore Qalandars to a below-par score and comfortably chased down the target for an 8-wicket victory.

Jason Holder was awarded Player of the Match for his availability with full performances that allowed Islamabad to make a thumping start to the tournament.

The defending champions showed complete dominance with brilliant batting, especially from Munro and Agha Salman. Lahore Qalandars' bowling lacked control and failed to break the key partnership. Islamabad looked balanced and well-planned from start to finish.