PSL 2025, Match 4 Review: Fakhar Zaman and Sam Billings excel as Lahore Qalandars thrash Quetta Gladiators in Rawalpindi

On Sunday, April 13, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Lahore Qalandars (LAH) easily defeated Quetta Gladiators (QUE) in match No. 4 of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL).

In the intense match, Quetta captain Saud Shakeel chose to field first after winning the toss. In the third over, Abrar Ahmed got rid of Mohammad Naeem, giving his team an early lead. However, with a 56-run partnership from just 32 balls, Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique completely destroyed the opposition bowlers. Following his dismissal for a 37 off 21 balls, Zaman discovered another capable ally in Daryl Mitchell.

Lahore Qalandars appeared poised to record a dangerous total as the seasoned pair added 81 runs off only 43 balls.

However, the Gladiators recovered well, quickly grabbing three wickets in a row. But Sam Billings took Lahore to 219/6 in their 20 overs with an incredible half-century off just 19 balls. With all the momentum on their side, Shaheen Afridi and company entered the dressing room after scoring 49 runs off the final 16 balls. With a 67 from 39 balls, Zaman led the Qalandars in scoring.

Shakeel and Finn Allen, the openers, were beaten by Shaheen in the second inning. As the Gladiators were struggling at 9/3 inside the third over, 21-year-old Asif Afridi also contributed by taking Hasan Nawaz out. Rilee Rossouw partnered with Shoaib Malik and Kusal Mendis in a few fights. But there was simply too much to do. Mendis made a 14-ball 28 to waste a strong start. Although Rossouw scored 44 runs off of 19 balls, his side needed him to bat for a lot longer.

In order to postpone the inevitable, Faheem Ashraf and Usman Tariq eventually compiled a 26-run partnership off 22 balls. In 16.2 overs, the Gladiators were bowled out for 140. Shaheen, Asif, and Sikandar Raza each took two wickets, and Rishad Hossain concluded with a three-for. Despite his high cost, Haris Rauf was able to get Mendis’ vital wicket.