Match 20 of the Pakistan Super League 2021 saw Islamabad United register their fifth win of the season and rise to the top of the points table. Muhammad Musa picked up three wickets to restrict Lahore Qalandars to 28/3 runs before Asif Ali’s stunning half-century propelled Islamabad to 152/7.
Shadab Khan called the toss correctly and decided to bat first. Islamabad had a horrible start, losing five wickets for 20 in 6.1 overs. Of these, James Faulkner picked got three – Colin Munro, Rohail Nazar and Hussain Talat.
Iftikhar Ahmad and Asif then turned things around with a 123-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Iftikhar was unlucky to miss out on his fifty by one run, when he was caught by Rashid Khan off Haris Rauf.
Asif made 75 off just 43 deliveries, hitting six fours and five sixes before getting hitting his own wicket on the penultimate ball of the innings. Apart from Faulkner (3-19), Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi picked up two wickets each. Rashid had a rare bad day, conceding 36 in four overs.
Fakhar Zaman (44) and Sohail Akhtar started off on a decent note, adding 55 for the first wicket. Sohail fell for a 19-ball 34, and Islamabad totally lost the plot from thereon. None of the next eight batters could touch double digits as they were bowled out for 124.
Musa conceded 18 off just three overs and picked up three wickets, while Fawad Khan and Shadab claimed two wickets each.
Brief scores:
Islamabad United 152/7 in 20 overs (Asif Ali 75; James Faulkner 3-19) beat Lahore Qalandars 124 in 18.2 overs (Fakhar Zaman 44; Muhammad Musa 3-18) by 28 runs. Player of the Match: Asif Ali