Sunday, 5th April 2026
Khabor Wala Desk
Published: 26th March 2026, 6:19 PM
Lahore Qalandars began the defence of their HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) crown in commanding fashion, registering a comprehensive 69-run victory over debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen in the tournament opener at Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday evening.
Chasing a demanding target of 200, the Kingsmen faltered under sustained pressure from Lahore’s disciplined bowling attack and were eventually bowled out for 130 on the final delivery of the innings. Despite brief resistance from a few batters, regular breakthroughs ensured the chase never gained meaningful momentum.
Hyderabad Kingsmen’s innings never truly settled after early setbacks. Skipper Marnus Labuschagne top-scored with a measured 26 off 22 deliveries, striking three boundaries, but found little support at the other end. Riley Meredith remained unbeaten on 19 from 26 balls, while Saim Ayub contributed 17 off 13 deliveries, including three fours.
Further down the order, Hassan Khan added 14 off nine balls, while Mohammad Ali and Hammad Azam chipped in with 10 runs apiece. However, no other batter managed to reach double figures as wickets fell at regular intervals, preventing any sustained recovery.
Lahore’s bowling unit shared the workload effectively. Ubaid Shah, Sikandar Raza and Haris Rauf claimed two wickets each, while Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mustafizur Rahman picked up one wicket apiece. The Kingsmen also suffered two unfortunate run-outs, with Akif Javed and Mohammad Ali both dismissed in that fashion.
Earlier, after winning the toss and electing to bat first, Lahore Qalandars posted a competitive 199 for 6 from their allotted 20 overs, built on a strong top-order foundation and late acceleration.
Fakhar Zaman led the charge with a fluent 53 off 39 deliveries, striking 10 boundaries in a typically aggressive display at the top of the order. Mohammad Naeem provided brisk support with 30 off 18 balls, including four fours and a six, helping Lahore maintain early momentum.
Middle-order contributions ensured continuity, with Haseebullah Khan finishing unbeaten on 40 from 28 deliveries, decorated with three boundaries and a six. Sikandar Raza injected late impetus with a rapid 24 off just 10 balls, while Parvez Hossain Emon added 14 off 13. Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi also made a cameo with 12 off only two deliveries, adding valuable late runs.
Hyderabad’s bowling effort was led by Hassan Khan and Riley Meredith, both of whom picked up two wickets, while Mohammad Ali claimed one. Abdullah Shafique was also dismissed via run-out in the field.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | Lahore Qalandars vs Hyderabad Kingsmen |
| Result | Lahore Qalandars won by 69 runs |
| Venue | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| Toss | Lahore Qalandars won and batted first |
| Lahore Score | 199/6 (20 overs) |
| Hyderabad Score | 130 all out (20 overs) |
| Player of Note (Lahore) | Fakhar Zaman 53 (39) |
| Top Scorer (Hyderabad) | Marnus Labuschagne 26 (22) |
| Lahore Qalandars Bowlers | Wickets |
|---|---|
| Ubaid Shah | 2 |
| Sikandar Raza | 2 |
| Haris Rauf | 2 |
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | 1 |
| Mustafizur Rahman | 1 |
| Hyderabad Kingsmen Bowlers | Wickets |
|---|---|
| Hassan Khan | 2 |
| Riley Meredith | 2 |
| Mohammad Ali | 1 |
The victory underlined Lahore Qalandars’ depth and balance as defending champions, with both bat and ball contributing in key phases. Their ability to accelerate in the final overs and then apply relentless pressure with the ball proved decisive against a Hyderabad side making their PSL debut.
For the Kingsmen, despite glimpses of promise from individual batters, the lack of partnerships and inability to rotate strike consistently proved costly on a challenging surface against a well-drilled opposition.
Lahore’s emphatic win sets an early tone for their title defence, while Hyderabad Kingsmen will look to regroup quickly as they adjust to the demands of top-flight franchise cricket.
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