After winning the toss and opting to field, Islamabad’s bowlers completely dismantled Lahore’s batting lineup, bundling them out for just 100 in 18.3 overs.
Lahore never really recovered after losing Mohammad Naeem for a duck in the opening over. Abdullah Shafique and Rubin Hermann also failed to make an impact, leaving the Qalandars struggling early.
Haseebullah Khan made 19, while Sikandar Raza was the top scorer with 25 off 19 balls, trying to inject some momentum into the innings. Asif Ali chipped in with 15, but no batter was able to convert a start into a meaningful innings as wickets kept falling at regular intervals.
Bangladeshi left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman remained unbeaten on 0, but had little chance to influence the innings with the bat as Lahore folded cheaply.
Islamabad’s bowling attack shared the damage brilliantly. Chris Green was the standout performer with 3 for 19, while Imad Wasim, Richard Gleeson, and Shadab Khan all picked up two wickets each.
The pressure never eased on Lahore, who slipped from 41 for 2 to 100 all out, with only one batter crossing the 20-run mark.
In reply, Islamabad made light work of the chase. After losing Sameer Minhas early for 5, Devon Conway and Mohammad Faiq took complete control of the innings.
Wicketkeeper-batter Devon Conway remained unbeaten on a classy 59 off 35 balls, smashing 7 fours and 3 sixes, while Mohammad Faiq played an equally fluent hand with an unbeaten 34 off 19 deliveries.
The pair ensured there were no further hiccups as Islamabad raced to 104 for 1 in only 10.2 overs.
For Lahore, captain Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed the only wicket of the innings, while Mustafizur went wicketless in his 2 overs, conceding 16 runs.
