Fakhar’s century steers Qalandars to narrow win over Gladiators

A commanding century from Fakhar Zaman propelled Lahore Qalandars to a hard-fought nine-run victory over Quetta Gladiators in Match 30 of the HBL Pakistan Super League at Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday.

The result lifted Lahore Qalandars to fourth place on the points table with eight points, while Quetta Gladiators slipped to fifth with six.

Fakhar delivered a match-winning innings of 103 off 51 balls, striking 11 fours and six sixes, to anchor Lahore’s total of 197 for six in their allotted 20 overs. His effort places him alongside Kamran Akmal, Rilee Rossouw, Usman Khan and Babar Azam as joint-leading centurions in HBL PSL history, each with three hundreds.

After an early setback, Fakhar steadied the innings with Abdullah Shafique in a 57-run stand for the second wicket. He then combined with Charith Asalanka for a decisive 96-run partnership that put Lahore firmly in control. Asalanka contributed a brisk 31, while late cameos from Daniel Sams and Shaheen Shah Afridi ensured a strong finish.

For Quetta, Alzarri Joseph was the most economical bowler, conceding just 23 runs in four overs, while Brett Hampton, Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq claimed one wicket each.

In response, Quetta mounted a spirited chase, led by half-centuries from Shamyl Hussain and Rossouw. The opening pair added 49 runs before Sikandar Raza provided the breakthrough. Shamyl went on to score 53 off 31 balls before being run out, triggering a middle-order collapse.

Rossouw kept Quetta in contention with an aggressive 62 off 29 deliveries, bringing up his century of sixes in HBL PSL history—the second player to reach the milestone. However, his dismissal in the 15th over proved pivotal.

Despite late resistance from Abrar Ahmed, who remained unbeaten on 24, Quetta fell short, finishing on 188 for seven.

Lahore’s bowling effort was led by Haris Rauf, who returned figures of 2 for 28, with Afridi, Ubaid Shah, Raza and Usama Mir contributing with a wicket apiece.

Fakhar Zaman was named Player of the Match for his decisive innings.