Lahore Qalandars Begin PSL 11 with Dominant Win Over Hyderabad Kingsmen

Lahore Qalandars began their title defense in the 2026 Pakistan Super League (PSL 11) with a commanding 69-run victory over debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen at Gaddafi Stadium.

Chasing a challenging target of 200 in their first-ever PSL match, the Kingsmen struggled throughout their innings and were bowled out for 130 in 20 overs.

Captain Marnus Labuschagne was the top scorer for Hyderabad with a cautious 26 off 22 balls. He was followed by No. 9 batter Riley Meredith, who remained unbeaten on 19 from 25 deliveries.

Opener Saim Ayub scored 17, while Hammad Azam and Mohammad Ali contributed 10 runs each. No other batter managed to reach double figures.

Lahore’s bowling attack delivered a strong collective performance. Haris Rauf, Sikandar Raza, and Ubaid Shah each took two wickets, while Mustafizur Rahman and captain Shaheen Shah Afridi picked up one wicket each.

Earlier, Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi elected to bat first, and the decision proved effective as his side posted 199-6 in 20 overs despite a brief top-order collapse.

Lahore got off to an aggressive start with an 84-run opening partnership between Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Naeem. The stand was broken in the ninth over when Hassan Khan dismissed Naeem, who scored 30 off 19 balls with four fours and a six.

The Qalandars then lost momentum briefly as Abdullah Shafique was run out for four, and Fakhar Zaman was dismissed shortly after reaching his half-century. Fakhar top-scored with 53 off 39 deliveries, including nine fours.

After the setbacks, Haseebullah Khan and Parvez Hossain Emon steadied the innings with a 37-run partnership for the fourth wicket before Emon was dismissed for 14 in the 16th over.

Haseebullah then added a quick 45-run partnership with Sikandar Raza, who scored a rapid 24 off 10 balls, hitting two sixes and two fours. Haseebullah remained unbeaten on 40 from 28 balls.

Asif Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi provided late contributions with scores of nine and 12 not out, respectively.

For Hyderabad Kingsmen, Riley Meredith and Hassan Khan took two wickets each, while Mohammad Ali claimed one.