Pakistan's Umar Akmal smashed the highest score of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), 93 runs off 40 balls, to guide his team - Lahore Qalandars - to first win of the season as they defeated Quetta Gladiators by 63 runs at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai.
The swashbuckling Akmal has definitely left an impression on the national selectors ahead of the ICC World T20 team selection with his 40-ball quick fire innings which helped his side thrash the team who was unbeaten in the tournament till now.
Cameron Delport provided Akmal firm support with his 55-ball 73 runs knock and built 97 runs partnership for the 2nd wicket. Qalandars finished with 194 on the board, which also became the highest team total of PSL.
In reply, Gladiators had a shaky start where Luke Wright, Ahmed Shehzad, and Kevin Pietersen fell cheaply after scoring 4, 15 and 12 runs respectively.
Qalandars' spinner Zafar Gohar, who bowls slow left-arm orthodox, picked 4 wickets and was pick of the bowlers ahead of the Sri Lankan and star and his teammate Ajanta Medis earned 3 dismissals.
Only Mohammad Nawaz (42) and Sarfraz Khan (31) showed some resistant as other batsmen fell like a house of card. Gladiators were bowled out eventually on 131 in the 17th over itself, handling 63 runs comfortable victory to the Lahore Qalandars team.
Akmal was named Man-of-the-Match for his 93 runs which he scored at a strike rate of 223.50. His innings included 6 boundaries and 8 sixes.
Brief score:
Lahore Qalandars 194/3 (20/20 overs)Quetta Gladiators 131 (16.2/20 overs)
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