After two consecutive opening defeats, Lahore Qalandars bounced back in style to keep their campaign on track in the Pakistan Super League yesterday.
In a one-sided match, the Qatar-owned team thrashed Quetta Gladiators by 63 runs in Dubai thanks largely to a blistering 93 off a mere 40 balls by international Umar Akmal and some splendid bowling by left-arm spinner Zafar Gohar who took four for 14 in 3.2 overs and Sri Lankan off-spinner Ajanta Mendis, who claimed three for 17 in three overs.
Such was Akmal’s mastery over the Quetta bowlers that he hit eight sixes and six fours in his knock, helping Lahore post an imposing 194 for 3 in 20 overs.
Needing almost 10 runs per over, the Gladiators found the going tough and were bowled out for 131 in 16.2 overs with Mohamed Nawaz and Sarfraz Ahmad scoring 42 and 31 respectively.
Akmal had an astonishing strike rate of 232.50 by the time he was caught by Akbar-ur-Rehman off the bowling of Anwar Ali off the penultimate ball of the innings.
The Qalandars were provided a rollicking start by openers Azhar Ali and Cameron Delport who put on 62 runs for the first wicket in 10 overs to lay the foundation for their massive score.
South African Delport slammed eight fours and three sixes in his 73 which came off just 55 balls and at a strike rate of 132.72.
The Akmal-Delport partnership for the second wicket yielded 95 runs as the Quetta bowlers failed to make an impression.
Fast bowler Umar Gul was carted for 50 runs in four overs, with Akmal hitting him for four sixes.
Akmal, who was adjudged man of the match, said he was grateful to the coaching staff for all their help.
“I got the chance to bat at No. 3 and had the time. I told myself that I should develop an innings. This pitch was a lot better than before as well,” he said.
The Qalandars’ Dwayne Bravo had earlier sensed his team would achieve something special.
“Definitely we smell a party tonight,” he said before the start of the match.
“A lot of cricket has been played on this wicket, we expected these [slow] conditions. No excuses. We are all professionals. Just happy to be part of this tournament and I hope it’s the first of many and I hope to be part of it. We all know Pakistan and West Indies create some of the most talented cricketers…”
The Qalandars rested Chris Gayle for yesterday’s match.

Sammy feels for Pakistan cricket fans
AFP, Dubai: West Indies Twenty20 captain Darren Sammy said yesterday he felt sad for Pakistan cricket fans who are deprived of watching international stars on home grounds due to security fears in the country.
Pakistan have been facing international cricket isolation since the March 2009 terrorist attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus—which killed eight people and injured seven visiting players—led to suspension of all international matches.
That isolation was briefly broken when Zimbabwe played a short limited over series in Pakistan in May-June last year but that does not guarantee series with bigger teams like India, Australia and England.
West Indies have not played a series with Pakistan since their 2006 tour to that country.
West Indies are due to play two Tests, five one-day internationals and two Twenty20s in September-October this year but that too is likely to be played on neutral venues in United Arab Emirates, where Pakistan have been playing their home matches since 2009.
Sammy said it was up to the West Indies Cricket Board to decide where the series will be played but he certainly feels sad for Pakistan fans.
“Well, to be honest, these decisions are never ours, it’s the government and the cricket body to decide but what I could tell you is that the fans of Pakistan cricket have been missing some good international cricket.  
“We as cricketers get to play in front of our home fans and that is something Pakistan have not had an opportunity to do, to play in front of their own people for a while,” said Sammy who is playing Pakistan Super League here.  “It’s sad but hopefully things could get resolved and every territory could get a chance of playing cricket before their own crowds,” said Sammy who is playing alongside Pakistan Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi for Peshawar franchise.
Asked whether any Pakistan player has invited him to their country, Sammy said: “We don’t really talk about it, they have been on the road for a long time with Dubai is home base for them.  
“I think every cricketer wants to play at home but it’s not our decision, it’s the administration that decides that so I don’t know.”
Sammy said he was enjoying the company of Pakistan cricketers.
“I just enjoy cricket on the whole, to share the dressing room with Afridi, (Wahab) Riaz and (Kamran) Akmal its a pleasure and playing is an honour.”
Five teams are competing in the Twenty20 league which will end on February 23.