ISLAMABAD: In the opening match of the 9th HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) Twenty20 championship, Islamabad United, two-time champions, secured a notable 8-wicket win against the reigning champions Lahore Qalandars, with 10 balls to spare, following their decision to field first.
The choice to bowl first paid off for Islamabad, despite a strong start from their adversaries.
Sahibzada Farhan led the charge with a brisk 57 from 36 balls, while Rassie van der Dussen’s aggressive play yielded 71 runs off 41 balls, anchoring the innings.
Lahore’s innings also saw an early setback when opener Fakhar Zaman (13) was dismissed by captain Shadab Khan, failing to clear the field and caught by Faheem Ashraf, curtailing a promising start.
Despite losing 5 wickets, Lahore left a tough target of 196 by the end of their 20-over innings.
In response, Islamabad got off to a confident start, scoring 50 runs in the powerplay while only losing Colin Munro in the process.
An unbeaten knock of 74 by Shadab Khan, which included a 138-run partnership with Salman Ali Agha (64 not out) for the third wicket, led Islamabad to an impressive victory.
Lahore were able to give a competitive target to Islamabad due to van der Dussen’s unbeaten knock, which included four fours and three sixes.
The South African batter, who had featured for United in the last PSL edition, brought up his maiden half-century in the game off just 31 balls.
For Islamabad, Naseem Shah, who returned to competitive cricket after a gap of almost six months, took one wicket for 36 runs.
Leg-spinner Shadab, also came back from injury, giving away 24 runs while bagging a solitary wicket in his quota of four overs.
Tymal Mills was the most successful bowler for Islamabad, getting two wickets for 45 runs in four overs.
Lahore’s Qaddafi Stadium would host two matches on Sunday. The first one will be between Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi, while the second will bring Multan Sultans and Karachi Kings face to face with each other.
Islamabad United outplays Lahore Qalandars in PSL opener with convincing 8-wicket win
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Islamabad United outplays Lahore Qalandars in PSL opener with convincing 8-wicket win
- The choice to bowl first paid off for Islamabad, despite a strong start from their adversaries who set a 196-run target
- Shadab Khan’s unbeaten knock of 74 powered Islamabad to an impressive victory against the defending champions
Met Office refutes reports of ‘extreme cold weather’ in Pakistan from Jan. 16-25
- Temperatures to remain within normal range with no indication of record-breaking conditions, weather agency says
- Pakistan has been witnessing a cold spell, with freezing temperatures in the north and chilly, foggy nights in the south
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Monday dismissed reports of “extreme cold weather” in the country from Jan. 16 till Jan. 25, saying temperatures were expected to remain within the normal range.
Reports circulating on social media claimed that extremely cold weather would return to Pakistan for the first time in almost a century, bringing “sub-zero temperatures” to Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh provinces.
Without citing any official data or forecasts, the reports claimed temperatures in the federal capital of Islamabad and Rawalpindi could drop to -5°C, while they may drop to -15°C in Murree, -4°C in Lahore, -25°C in Quetta and -2°C in Hyderabad.
“The Pakistan Meteorological Department categorically refutes these claims and clarifies that no such extreme or historic cold wave is expected during the mentioned period,” it said in a statement.
There has been no indication of widespread or persistent record-breaking cold conditions, based on the latest analysis of numerical weather prediction models and observational data, according to the PMD.
The Met Office advised the public to rely solely on official forecasts, warnings and adviseries issued by the national weather agency and to avoid sharing unverified information that may cause concern.
Pakistan has been witnessing a cold spell, with northern and hilly areas experiencing freezing temperatures, while the country’s plains and southern cities have faced chilly nights and foggy mornings.
