Lahore Qalandars secured a tense nine-run victory over Quetta Gladiators at the Gaddafi Stadium, riding on a brilliant century from Fakhar Zaman to post 197/6 before restricting their opponents to 188/7.
Despite a late push from Abrar Ahmed, whose 24 off 14 balls nearly turned the game, Lahore held their nerve to register back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
The result lifts Qalandars to fourth place on the table, keeping their playoff hopes alive with two matches still remaining. For Quetta Gladiators, however, a second consecutive defeat leaves them on six points with just one game left, now reliant on other results to stay in contention.
Fakhar Leads Lahore’s Charge with Explosive Century
The match was largely defined by Fakhar Zaman’s commanding innings of 103 off 51 deliveries. His aggressive strokeplay laid the foundation for Lahore’s total and proved decisive in the end.
He found support from Charith Asalanka, who contributed a steady 31 off 24 balls, playing a complementary role during a key phase of the innings. Fakhar reached his century in just 50 balls, striking 11 fours and six sixes, while also setting the tempo early as Lahore reached 58/1 in the powerplay and crossed the 100-run mark by the 10th over.
However, contributions from the rest of the batting lineup were limited. Abdullah Shafique struggled to rotate strike, while Asalanka’s innings focused on stability rather than acceleration. Daniel Sams added a late boost with 18 off 12 balls after Fakhar’s dismissal, helping Lahore gather 33 runs in the death overs.
Gladiators Stay in Hunt Before Late Collapse
Chasing 198, Quetta Gladiators made a competitive start with a 49-run opening partnership. Shamyl Hussain (53 off 31) and Rilee Rossouw (62 off 29) kept the chase alive with aggressive batting.
Rossouw’s dismissal at the end of the 15th over proved to be a turning point. With him at the crease, the target appeared within reach, but his departure shifted momentum decisively in Lahore’s favour.
From that point, the Gladiators struggled to maintain the required rate, managing only 31 runs in the final four overs. Haris Rauf (2/28) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (1/35) delivered effectively at the death to close out the game.
Momentum Swings Define the Contest
The contest saw sharp shifts in momentum, with individual performances playing a defining role. While Shamyl and Rossouw took charge during the chase, the lack of support from other batters proved costly. Even Saud Shakeel’s 17 came at a measured pace, offering little acceleration alongside the main scorers.
Once the set batters departed, Quetta’s innings lost direction, highlighting the impact of key wickets in a tightly contested game.
Lahore Hold Firm in Crucial Moments
Ultimately, Fakhar Zaman’s dominance with the bat separated the two sides. His strike rate of 201.96 stood well above the rest, underlining his influence on the outcome.
Lahore’s pace attack then ensured that the advantage created by Fakhar was not squandered, delivering under pressure to seal an important victory.
