PSL 2024 [WATCH]: Shadab Khan dispatch Haris Rauf with two effortless sixes in Islamabad United win over Lahore Qalandars

Table of Contents

Lahore Qalandars’ strong start: Fakhar Zaman and Sahibzada Farhan’s flourish
Islamabad United’s solid start and Colin Munro’s dismissal: Early phases of the chase
Shadab Khan’s partnership with Agha Salman
Shadab Khan’s six-hitting spectacle: Dominance against Haris Rauf
- Here’s the video

In the season opener of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024, Islamabad United showcased a commanding chase against Lahore Qalandars. Led by Captain Shadab Khan‘s remarkable innings, Islamabad chased down a target of 196 with eight wickets in hand. Shadab’s impactful leadership was evident as he played a sensational knock, scoring 74 runs off 41 balls.

Lahore Qalandars’ strong start: Fakhar Zaman and Sahibzada Farhan’s flourish

Opting to bat first in a batting-friendly Lahore pitch, the Qalandars got off to a strong start with openers Fakhar Zaman and Sahibzada Farhan cruising to 66/0 at the end of the powerplay. The splendid opening stand of 67 runs was disrupted by Shadab, who dismissed Zaman in the seventh over. Despite the setback, Lahore’s batters, including Rassie van der Dussen and Abdullah Shafique, powered the team to a competitive score of 195/5 in 20 overs.

Islamabad United’s solid start and Colin Munro’s dismissal: Early phases of the chase

In pursuit of a challenging target of 196, Islamabad made a solid start as openers Alex Hales and Colin Munro amassed 41/0 in the initial 5 overs. The early rhythm was disrupted when the Qalandars’ pacer Zaman Khan delivered a crucial breakthrough, dismissing Munro on the last ball of the fifth over. As the powerplay concluded, Islamabad stood at 50/1, with Hales and Shadab forming a crucial partnership. The eighth over saw the departure of Hales, courtesy of a brilliant back-of-a-length delivery from the Qalandar’s Salman Fayyaz.

Also READ: PSL 2024: Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan names the ‘team to watch out’ for in tournament

Shadab Khan’s partnership with Agha Salman

The departure of Hales did little to impede Islamabad United’s batting momentum as Shadab and Agha Salman (64) orchestrated a sensational partnership, accumulating a whopping 138 runs for the third wicket. In a remarkable display of power-hitting, Shadab, during his innings of 74, unleashed an onslaught on the Qalandars’ bowling unit. He smashed six fours and notably cleared the boundaries five times with powerful sixes.

Shadab Khan’s six-hitting spectacle: Dominance against Haris Rauf

Haris Rauf, the pace ace for Qalandars, found himself on the receiving end of Shadab;s aggression. Two of the five maximums came off Rauf’s deliveries, showcasing Shadab’s command over the pace bowler. The first six came on the first ball of the 16th over, as Haris delivered a ball in the slot, and Shadab dispatched it over long-on for a massive six, covering a remarkable distance of 98 meters. Following this, on the next delivery, Haris bowled another one in the slot, and Shadab, giving himself room to the leg side, effortlessly carved the ball over extra cover for yet another six. Shadab’s dominance with the bat played a pivotal role in steering Islamabad to a convincing victory over the Qalandars.

Here’s the video:

Captain Shadab Khan making a statement 🫡#HBLPSL9 | #KhulKeKhel | #LQvIU pic.twitter.com/EPJ5K8T9C8
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 17, 2024