In PSL, Lahore thrusts Quetta by 9 wickets

Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Hafeez struck half-centuries as Lahore Qalandars on Monday thrashed Quetta Gladiators by nine wickets in the Pakistan Super League Twenty-20 Internationals.

In Lahore’s efficient run-chase of 179-1 with 10 balls to spare, left-handed opener Fakhar scored 82 out of 52 balls and 41-year-old Hafeez struck a stinging 73 out of just 33 balls.

Both batsmen were dismissed, but just 58 balls raised a 115-run, a match-winning stand-off.

Hafeez blasted six sixes and five fours through the covers to hand Quetta his second consecutive defeat in the six-team event, which included the winning boundary against Mohammad Hasnain.

“The ball was coming nicely onto the bat and we always knew we will chase it down,” Lahore captain Sohail Akhtar said. “Hafeez and Fakhar paced the run-chase very well and it was an outstanding performance.”

Previously, Lahore had twice let veteran Chris Gayle (68) off the hook after being placed into bat before he grounded Quetta to 178-6.

Gayle, lost at deep mid-wicket by Agha Salman in the 20s, scored five fours and five sixes before Afghanistan’s offspinner Rashid Khan clean bowled him over on the 15th.

Gayle and Captain Sarfaraz Ahmed’s shared a 101-run stand, who returned to a certain batting style with 40 out of 31 balls before having a top edge off a miscued pull against Haris Rauf’s fast bowler, who took 3-38.