Defending champions Lahore Qalandars opened their Pakistan Super League 2026 campaign in commanding fashion on March 26, 2026, beating debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen by 69 runs at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. After choosing to bat first, Lahore posted 199 for 6 and then bowled Hyderabad out for 130 to collect the first two points of the season.
Lahore’s innings was built around Fakhar Zaman’s 53 off 39 balls, an innings packed with authority at the top, while Mohammad Naeem added 30 and Haseebullah Khan remained unbeaten on 40 off 28 to keep the scoreboard moving through the second half of the innings. Sikandar Raza’s 24 off 10 and a late unbeaten 12 from Shaheen Shah Afridihelped Lahore finish strongly and push close to the 200-mark. For Hyderabad, Hassan Khan and Riley Meredith picked up two wickets each, but the bowling unit could not fully contain Lahore’s finishing surge.
Source: ESPNcricinfo
In reply, Hyderabad never truly settled. Marnus Labuschagne top-scored with 26, while Saim Ayub made 17, but regular wickets kept the chase under pressure from the early overs. Hyderabad slipped to 65 for 5 by the end of the ninth over, and from there the game moved firmly in Lahore’s direction.
Lahore’s attack shared the damage impressively. Haris Rauf returned 2 for 22, Ubaid Shah took 2 for 27, and Sikandar Raza also claimed 2 for 27, while Mustafizur Rahman and Shaheen Shah Afridi chipped in with a wicket each. Fakhar Zaman was named Player of the Match as Lahore began their title defence with the kind of all-round display that sends an early message to the rest of the field.
