Fakhar Zaman century gives Qalandars crucial win
Shamyl Hussain and Rilee Rossouw kept Gladiators in the chase, but once they fell, the chase fell apart
Shamyl Hussain and Rilee Rossouw kept Gladiators in the chase, but once they fell, the chase fell apart
Scorer: Harshith Gowda | Commentator: Rvel Zahid
The second match of this double-header is coming up shortly. For now, it's goodbye from me, Rvel Zahid, and our team at Cricinfo
Fakhar Zaman, Player of the Match: At the start, the wicket wasn't easy and the ball wasn't coming nicely onto the bat, with some seam and swing as well. But whenever you play in Lahore, once you survive the new ball, it gets easier to bat. Once you've faced the new ball, it becomes easier to take on the spinners with the old ball, but if you have to play them earlier -especially the quality of Usman and Abrar - it's not easy
Lahore manage to hold their nerve and win the crunch moments but it was an exhilarating affair that kept us on the edge of our seats! What a lively cameo by Abrar, who almost took his team over the line with such clean hitting against two experienced pacers. Fakhar Zaman's spellbinding hundred paved the way for the home side's victory as he got them a defendable total but it was a lot of fun till the end. Rossouw's wicket was a major turning point; somebody from the top or middle order needed to carry on. Shamyl was batting splendidly before he got run out by Sams and Lahore somehow managed to stay ahead of the game but it was not a convincing win by any means. Six bowlers were used. Shaheen and Haris bowled tidily for the most part and the spinners including Usama and Sikandar held up their end of the bargain. Ubaid was expensive on comeback but got the prized scalp of Rossouw. With this win, Lahore move to fourth and Quetta are right next at fifth
Shamyl Hussain and Rilee Rossouw kept Gladiators in the chase, but once they fell, the chase fell apart
When Fakhar clicks, Qalandars look invincible; when he doesn't, the team has looked rudderless