Right then, that's all from an entertaining opening night of the 2024 Pakistan Super League where Islamabad United emerged victorious in a dominating fashion. On the other hand, the Lahore Qalandars have started their title defence with a defeat but expect them to bounce back in the next game. We are just getting started in the ninth edition of the Pakistan Super League, and the 18th of February is going to be a Super Sunday with a double-header lined up. First up, Peshawar Zalmi will take on the Quetta Gladiators at 2.30 pm IST (9 am GMT). Then, the runners-up of the last edition, the Multan Sultans, will clash with the Karachi Kings at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). As always, you can join us in advance for the build-up. Cheers!

Shadab Khan comes in for a chat, this time as the skipper of Islamabad United. He says that they knew that dew would come in and with the depth in their batting, he chose to bowl first. He then talks about Agha Salman and says when he was drafted in the side people were unaware of his role and the world now knows what his role is in the side. Talks more about the fielding and how it has to improve. He adds that they have lost games from commanding positions and he specifically spoke to Agha and said that they will have to finish the game here.

Shaheen Afridi, the captain of Lahore Qalandars, starts by crediting Agha Salman and Shadab Khan for the way they played. Feels that it is not easy for pacers and the ball came on nicely onto the bat. Shares that they missed an impact bowler in Rashid Khan. Adds that they can't do anything about it but they do have the bowlers to make up for it. States that it is just the start and it is a long tournament.

Shadab Khan is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his unbeaten 74 off 41 and his outstanding bowling figures of 1 for 24. He says he came back from the injury and worked hard with the bowling coaches in International League T20 and he needed one match to turn things around and this was that game for him. He adds that he is very pleased with his batting as he was struggling at the World Cup and after that as well so it feels good.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Agha Salman is down for a chat and he says that he has always wanted to play for Islamabad United and their approach suits him and he is happy. Adds that after the first innings, they knew that dew would make it easier and it seemed like a par score. He talks about their plans of hitting one boundary per over and taking it deep. States that the first game is always important and the momentum helps. Concludes about the good team environment and the backing they get irrespective of how the performances go.

Earlier in the game, the skipper of Islamabad United, Shadab Khan, called it right and made the brave decision of bowling first, given the venue's history of favouring the teams batting first. It was a far-from-ideal start for them as Sahibzada Farhan took apart their new ball pairing and got off the blocks quickly. Fakhar Zaman was a mere spectator amidst the onslaught and was the first to perish. Farhan carried on his merry way and soon brought up the first fifty of his Pakistan Super League career. After his departure, Rassie van der Dussen took the mantle of taking the inning forward. van der Dussen took his time before going big and capitalising on the platform set. Abdullah Shafique and David Wiese batted around the Proteas batter and offered great support. van der Dussen remained unbeaten on 71 and gave his side a strong finish to get to 195. For Islamabad United, Shadab Khan was their most economical bowler with figures of 1 for 24 from his four overs.

Despite finishing strongly with the bat, Lahore Qalandars needed early wickets to peg Islamabad United back at the start of their run chase. It did not go according to the plan for them as Shaheen Afridi and Zaman Khan failed to make the new ball count and allowed Alex Hales to get going. Zaman was rewarded for his persistence before Salman Fayyaz stuck in his first over to remove the threatening Hales. However, they were not able to contain the runs in the middle phase and were left scrambling for wickets. Moreover, dropping Shadab Khan twice made matters worse for them. Shaheen Afridi brought himself and Haris Rauf back into the attack as the last roll of the dice but even that did not work out for them.

In pursuit of 196 runs, Alex Hales set the tone for Islamabad United with a flurry of boundaries upfront. His opening partner, Colin Munro struggled to put bat to ball and was dismissed cheaply. Despite getting himself in, Hales was unable to convert his start into something substantial. Coming in at number 3, Shadab Khan batted with intent right throughout his innings and never allowed the bowlers to settle. He found an able alley in Agha Salman and the duo ticked along nicely. Both batters found boundaries at will and never let the required run rate become an issue. Shadab got to his fifty first and Salman followed suit on their way to getting Islamabad United home with an unbeaten 138-run stand.

UNBELIEVABLE, SIMPLY UNBELIEVABLE! A statement win from Islamabad United to kick start this year's Pakistan Super League. They have absolutely thumped the defending champions on the opening night and it just does not get better than this for Shadab Khan and Co. As for Lahore Qalandars, they had the wood over Islamabad United, having won the last five meetings before this encounter but they just could not execute their plans with the ball. In hindsight, they will feel that they left a few runs with the bat.

Strategic break! With just five overs remaining and a mere 44 runs needed for victory, Islamabad United find themselves firmly in control of the game. This 90-run partnership between Shadab Khan and Agha Salman has put them right in the driver's seat. The Lahore Qalandars are desperately seeking quick wickets to shift the momentum back in their favour, but their efforts seem to be falling short at the moment. Shaheen Afridi (2-0-6-0) brings himself into the attack now.