Lahore Qalandars has beaten Hyderabad Kingsmen by 69 runs in first match of HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026, at Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday evening.
Batting first, Qalandars posted a formidable total of 199/6 in their 20 overs. Fakhar Zaman led the charge with 53 runs off 39 balls, hitting 10 boundaries and earning the player of the match award. Haseebullah Khan remained unbeaten on 40 from 28 balls, while Mohammad Naeem contributed 30 off 18 balls. Quick cameos from Sikandar Raza (24 off 10), Parvez Hossain Shanto (14 off 13), and skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi (12 off 2) helped Qalandars reach a challenging total. Hassan Khan and Riley Meredith picked two wickets each for Kingsmen, while Mohammad Ali took one and Abdullah Shafique was run out.
Chasing 200, Hyderabad Kingsmen struggled throughout their innings and were eventually bowled out for 130 on the final ball. Skipper Marnus Labuschagne top-scored with just 26 off 22 balls, while Riley Meredith made 19* and Saim Ayub 17. Hassan Khan scored 14, and Mohammad Ali and Hammad Azam added 10 runs each. Ubaid Shah, Sikandar Raza, and Haris Rauf claimed two wickets apiece, with Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mustafizur Rahman taking one wicket each. Akif Javed and Mohammad Ali were run out.
The match marked the PSL debut for Hyderabad Kingsmen, while Lahore Qalandars entered the season as defending champions, setting the tone for an exciting tournament ahead.
