Sharjeel, Watson heroics give United easy win over Qalandars

DUBAI: Islamabad United openers Shane Watson and Sharjeel Khan gave the art of batting a new meaning on Wednesday helping their side achieve the 167 run Lahore Qalandars target with 4.1 overs to spare here at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Wednesday night.

United crossed the winning line scoring 169 for the loss of just two late wickets in 15.5 overs.

Sharjeel Khan remained unbeaten on 79 in just 43 balls, hitting 5 fours and 7 sixes while United skipper Watson scored as many runs runs off 47 balls, smashing 4 fours and same number of sixes.

None of the Qalandars bowlers could put a break to flurry of boundaries by the two batsmen and gave away plenty of opportunities for them to practice clearing not just the boundary rope but the stadium altogether.

Batting first after being invited by Islamabad United, Lahore Qalandars scored 166 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in the ninth match of inaugural edition of the Twenty20 tournament.

Wicket Keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan remained not out after scoring a brilliant half century. He hit 5 fours and 3 sixes in his 27-ball 50.

Captain Azher Ali made 27, Naved Yasin 25, Umar Akmal 23 and Dwayne Bravo 26 to help set their team a 167 run target.

Pacer Mohammad Sami took two wickets while Rumman Raees, Imran Khalid and Saeed Ajmal shared a wicket each for United.  

Islamabad United skipper Shane Watson had won the toss and invited Lahore Qalandars to bat first earlier in the evening.

Watson assumed the duties of captaining the United in absence of Misbah-ul-Haq, who has been rested for being injured.

The two teams have managed to secure only one win each in the tournament thus far.

Teams

Islamabad United: SR Watson (c), Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Latif, SW Billings, Kamran Ghulam, BJ Haddin, Imran Khalid, AD Russell, Mohammad Sami, Rumman Raees, Saeed Ajmal

Lahore Qalandars: Azher Ali (c), CS Delport, Naved Yasin, Mohammad Rizwan, Umar Akmal, DJ Bravo, Zohaib Khan, Zafar Gohar, KK Cooper, Ehsan Adil, BAW Mendis