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Elliott heroics propel Lahore Qalandars to one-wicket win

by Sandeep Shivam Tuesday 21 February 2017

Grant Elliott scored a vital knock during the chase

©REUTERS

Lahore Qalandars 146-9 (Akmal 66) beat
Islamabad United 145-8 (Shadab 42) by one wicket
14th match Pakistan Super League, Sharjah

Grant Elliott played a decisive 26-run unbeaten knock after a fifty by Umar Akmal as Islamabad United chased down 146 against Lahore Qalandars in the final over with one wicket in hand in the 14th match of Pakistan Super League in Sharjah.

Lahore won the toss and opted to field first. The third over of the innings saw Rafatullah Mohmand (18) dropped twice off Sohail Tanvir (1-36). However, his 13-ball cameo ended when in the next over Aamer Yamin (3-17) had him caught behind.

In his next over, Yamin also castled Brad Haddin (1) while a double strike from Yasir Shah (2-27) left Islamabad United reeling at 79 for five.

Just when the game was slipping away, Shadab Khan (42) provided the late flourish with his 24-ball knock which had three sixes and two boundaries to take Lahore Qalandars to 145 for eight in their 20 overs.

In the chase, Cameron Delport (12) and Brendon McCullum (11) gave a sedate start to their innings as Lahore Qalandars ended the powerplay at 29 for two.

Lahore were further bolted in the chase when Shadab (2-28) accounted for Fakhar Zaman (6) while Shane Watson (1-25) castled Mohammad Rizwan (3) and effected a run out to dismiss Mohammad Irfan (0) as they were reeling at 69 for five.

Akmal (66) waged a lone fight and reached his half-century off 31 deliveries after smashing six boundaries and three sixes in it.

Just when Akmal looked like he will take Lahore single handedly to victory, he was trapped LBW by Shadab and in the same over Sunil Narine (12) struck back-to-back sixes to bring down the target to 24 runs off 18 deliveries.

Even though, Lahore lost three more wickets, Elliott held his nerve and ensured they crossed the line in 19.2 overs with just one wicket in hand.