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That's all from this game as my colleague Darpan and I, Lavil, take your leave. Do check Sportskeeda for the latest in the world of sports. SEE YA!!
Shadab Khan (Islamabad United captain): Irrespective of the conditions, you need to do a great job executing your plans. I have been working on my bowling and looking to execute it for the team and hopefully for Pakistan as well. Hopefully, everyone will regain their form from here on and do the same for Pakistan. Pindi is great ground, the crowd comes in large numbers. The crowd isn't happy, but they come out in large numbers, showing they still have love for us. It is our job to ensure they are happy when they leave from here
Jason Holder (Player of the Match, Islamabad United): It's Been a good start; it's great to be here in Pakistan. It's a great franchise, and the guys have been very welcoming. I was able to assess it with the opening pair. Thought it was going to be much truer, but the guys at the top did a fine job. You stick to a particular process, we did a good job. If you build enough pressure, you'll get the wickets. (Favourite dismissal) The yorker caught David off guard
Shaheen Afridi (Lahore Qalandars captain): "I feel the toss did not matter. But it is only the first game, not the end of the world. First game is always tough for every team. We will try. Really happy for Abdullah Shafique, he is the future of Pakistan cricket. Really happy for Asif Afridi too, he bowled really well. They (Islamabad United) are the best. For me it is about discussing the positives and moving forward."
12:00 AM local time, 12:30 AM IST| Islamabad United beat Lahore Qalandars by 8 wickets
Islamabad United: 143/2 in 17.4 overs
Colin Munro: 59(42b) | Asif Afridi: 1/15 (4 overs) Salman Agha: 41(34b) | Haris Rauf: 1/34 (4 overs)
What a thumping win to kickstart your title defense! Islamabad United showed why they won the last season and now made a statement in their very first game. They will be looking to continue this momentum as Lahore Qalandars will want to recover quickly from this loss and register their first win soon.
IU lost Andries Gous early, while Sahibzada Farhan failed to get going. However, Colin Munrobegan played his shots and picked up ones and twos nicely whenever possible. Farhan perished looking to accelerate but then Munro and Agha Salman joined forces in the middle and batted till the end, registering an unbeaten stand of 80 runs for the third wicket and taking their side home.
As for Lahore Qalandars, only Haris Rauf and Asif Afridi picked up the two wickets to fall. Afridi bowled an exceptional spell inside the powerplay, with the spinner giving away only 8 runs in three overs and picking up a wicket. Others went for plenty, notably Sikandar Raza and David Wiese, both of whom allowed the batters to release the accumulated pressure.
Let's go down to hear what the captains have to say
17.4 Jahandad Khan to Agha Salman, FINISHES OFF WITH A FLAMBOYANT STRIKE! Slower ball banged in at back of a length. Salman stood tall and slammed it over extra cover with a horizontal bat. The ball skipped away to the boundary and that caps off what has been a domineering display from Islamabad United.
17.4 Jahandad Khan to Agha Salman, WIDE! Short ball, down the leg side. Salman went for the brash pull shot, but failed to lay bat on ball.
17.3 Jahandad Khan to Colin Munro, back of a length, rises steeply. But Munro has it covered. He manages to pat it away to the right of backward point and get a run.
17.2 Jahandad Khan to Colin Munro, similar length, a bit closer to the off peg. Munro parries it to backward point with an open face.
17.1 Jahandad Khan to Colin Munro, over the wicket, good length, outside off. Munro slashes and misses.
Jahandad Khan [2-0-16-0] comes back into the attack
Three runs needed to win in three overs. Only a matter of time now register a win under their win in the season opener
17
overs
137/2score
0
1
4
1
6
1
runs
Colin Munro*
58(39)
Agha Salman
37(33)
Shaheen Afridi
0/38
16.6 Shaheen Afridi to Colin Munro, BIG FULL TOSS! 137kph, tailing in towards the middle and leg. Munro pushes it towards long-on with a straight bat and picks a single to retain strike.
Just 4 needed for a win now! Could be over on the next delivery or could go into the next over
16.5 Shaheen Afridi to Colin Munro, FLAT SIX! Full ball, a foot outside off, delivered from over the wicket. A lofted square drive took it over the cover boundary.
16.4 Shaheen Afridi to Agha Salman, similar length and line. This time Salman stays in his original stance and manages to nudge it towards square leg for one.
16.3 Shaheen Afridi to Agha Salman, around the wicket, WOW! WHAT A HIT! FOUR! Very full, 135.4kph, at the middle and leg. Salman backs away and spoons it over extra cover for a boundary.
16.2 Shaheen Afridi to Colin Munro, another short one, this one generates spongy bounce. Munro waits for it to arrive before swatting it towards backward square leg for one.
16.1 Shaheen Afridi to Colin Munro, short ball, at the off stump. Munro backs away half a step and tries to ramp it over the keeper's head, only to connect with air.
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Colin Munro
*
Shaheen Afridi
Video
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Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
