Qalandars, Gladiators match called called

By our correspondent
LAHORE: The vital clash of the HBL PSL X between Lahore Qalandars and Quetta Gladiators was called off due to heavy storm and subsequent rain at Lahore on Thursday night.
Both teams shared one point each.
When Lahore Qalandars lost Daryl Mitchell for three in the 12th over dust storm emerged at 8:57 pm which badly impaired the visibility and the game was stopped.
The ground staff rushed to cover the pitch as it was imminent that it would be followed by rain. The ground staff was able to cover the entire area where multiple pitches exist.
When the game was stopped Lahore Qalandars were 111-3 in 11.3 overs with Abdullah Shafique batting on 32-ball 53.
He smashed three sixes and the same number of fours in his fine unbeaten knock.
After Khurram Shahzad clean bowled Fakhar Zaman for a duck with a splendid delivery that jabbed in, Mohammad Naeem and Abdullah Shafique batted exquisitely.
They managed superb strokes towards all corners of the ground and shifted the pressure towards Gladiators.
The duo added 102 runs off 57 balls for the second wicket stand which paved the way for posting a decent total.
It was leggie Abrar Ahmed who removed Naeem, held by Hasan Nawaz at short fine-leg after the right-hander went for a big hit but it only top-edged. Naeem, who was earlier dropped by Hasan Nawaz off Mohammad Wasim Junior, smashed four sweetly-timed sixes and three fours in his 30-ball 40. Naeem’s T20 career’s first fifty came off 28 deliveries.
Daryl Mitchell joined Abdullah Shafique but he failed to go deep and was also removed by Abrar.
Abrar seemed dangerous and captured 2-23 in 2.3 overs.
Khurram Shahzad claimed 1-12 in two overs.
The persistent light rain with thunderstorm continued which caused the match to be called off.
The single point elevated both the teams to nine points each. Lahore Qalandars have played eight matches while this was the seventh game from Quetta.
Islamabad United lead the table with ten points from six games. They are followed by Lahore Qalandars (9 points), Quetta Gladiators (9 points), Karachi Kings (8 points), Peshawar Zalmi (4 points) and Multan Sultans have just two points from eight matches. They have already eliminated from the race.
On Friday (tomorrow) Peshawar Zalmi will face Islamabad United at the same venue.