PSL Islamabad registers smooth 5 wicket win over Lahor

DUBAI: Islamabad United recorded a 5-wicket win against Lahore Qalandars, putting them out of the contest, in the 20th match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) here at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the early hours of Thursday.Chasing a moderate total of 151runs, Islamabad United did not make a good start as they lost both their openers ‘ Dwayne Smith (11) and Sharjeel Khan (5) – at the score of 24 runs.Both were caught behind by Mohammad Rizwan off left-arm fast-medium bowler Zia-ul-Haq.Then, Brad Haddin and Khalid Latif came to restore the position of their team. They added 69 runs for the third wicket before Khalid was run out scoring 25.Later, joined by captain Misbah-ul-Haq, Haddin completed his fifty and then Islamabad United crossed 100 in the 14th over.However, Haddin departed on 54 and the team score was 119 for four in 15 overs. He hit five fours and two sixes during his 42-ball innings.Then Asif Ali got out, leg before to Ehsan Adil for just three runs and the score was 126 for five.Then Azhar joined Misbah and both steered the team to achieve the target in the 19th over without much difficulty. Azhar scored 12 (9) with 2 fours while Misbah made 38 off 19 balls with the help of 7 fours.Muhammad Irfan took three wickets for Lahore Qalandars while Rumman Raees bagged one.Earlier, two fine half-centuries by Umar Akmal and Sohaib Maqsood helped Lahore Qalandars post a moderate total of 150 for five wickets against Islamabad United.Sent into bat, Lahore Qalandars made a disastrous start losing three early wickets for just six runs as left-arm pacers Mohammad Irfan and Rumman Raees dismissed Azhar Ali (1), Cameron Delport (1) and Mohammad Rizwan (naught).However, Sohaib and Umar Akmal batted together to take their team out of trouble and added 97 runs for the fourth wicket stand , then Sohaib got out by Irfan for 57. His 44-ball innings was lace with five fours and two sixes.Then Umar along with Darren Bravo added another 41 runs before the latter was run out for 13 off the second last ball of the innings.However, Umar lofted a towering six off the last ball to set a 151-run target for Islamabad United.Umar remained not out on 72, scored from 49 balls with five fours and three sixes.Irfan captured three wickets for 22 and Rumman took one for 31.Lahore Qalandars could only win two matches out of eight and after losing today’s match the team will now pack their bags to return home.