Lahore Qalandars crushed defending champions Islamabad United by 95 runs in Eliminator 2 to reach HBL Pakistan Super League final on Friday.
Electing to bat first, Lahore Qalandars posted a competitive total, powered by solid performances from their batsmen. In response, Islamabad United struggled to build momentum, losing wickets at crucial stages.
United’s innings was derailed early as Muhammad Shahzad was dismissed for a duck by Shaheen Shah Afridi, while Sahibzada Farhan managed just 3 runs before falling to Salman Mirza. Rassie van der Dussen contributed 7 runs but was caught behind by Kusal Perera off Mirza’s bowling, leaving them reeling at 13 for 3.
Imad Wasim was sent up the order but he too fell after scoring just eight, leaving the team at 33 for 4.
At that moment, Salman Agha joined captain Shadab Khan as the duo stemmed the flow of wickets, forging a 49-run partnership. Agha showed some resistance with 33 runs off 26 balls, striking four boundaries and one six, but could not anchor the innings.
Captain Shadab Khan attempted to steer the innings with a brisk 26 runs from 14 balls, including three sixes, but fell to Rishad Hossain. James Neesham was dismissed cheaply for 8, caught and bowled by Hossain, which eventually sealed United’s fate.
The tail failed to show any resistance as United were bundled out for 107 in 15.1 overs, with nine batters failing to reach double figures. Extras were the third-highest contributor with 11 runs.
Lahore Qalandars’ bowlers dominated the processdings, with skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi leading from the front by taking three wickets while conceding just as many runs. Mirza and Hossain also delivered crucial breakthroughs with three wickets between them.
With a commanding 95-run victory, Lahore Qalandars storm into the final, where they will face Quetta Gladiators on Sunday.
Earlier, Mohammad Naeem and Kusal Perera scored half-centuries as Lahore Qalandars set a 203-run target for defending champions.
Opting to bat first, Qalandars had a shaky start when Fakhar Zaman, who played a match-winning knock of 47 against Karachi Kings the previous day, was dismissed in the second over for just 12 runs.
Mohammad Naeem, joined by Abdullah Shafique, steadied the ship with a 71-run partnership. Naeem scored a blistering half-century off just 24 balls, hitting seven fours and two sixes, but was dismissed off the very next delivery.
Shafique looked set for another big score, but his innings was cut short when Shadab Khan took an outstanding catch to end his 25 runs knock.
With three wickets down, the Sri Lankan duo of Kusal Perera and Bhanuka Rajapaksa took charge and together they made a 48-run stand. Rajapaksa was dismissed after a powerful 22-run knock, but it was Perera who played the defining innings. He scored a vital 61 runs to help his team post a total beyond 200.
A brief cameo from Asif Ali further lifted the Qalandars’ total, bringing them to 202/8 in 20 overs.
Tymal Mills was the standout bowler, taking three wickets, well supported by Salman Irshad, who claimed two scalps. However, Naseem Shah struggled again, conceding 52 runs in his four overs without taking a wicket.
Both teams are eyeing their fourth final of the tournament, with the winner set to face Quetta Gladiators in the trophy match on Sunday.
Islamabad United: Shadab Khan (Captain), Sahibzada Farhan, Rassie van der Dussen, Haider Ali, Agha Salman, James Neesham, Imad Wasim, Tymal Mills, Naseem Shah, Muhammad Shahzad, Salman Irshad.
Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Afridi (Captain), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Naeem, Abdullah Shafique, Kusal Perera, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Asif Ali, Shakib Al Hasan, Haris Rauf, Rishad Hossain, Salman Mirza.
