Umar, Elliot guide Lahore to thrilling victory over Islamabad

Former New Zealand all-rounder Grant Elliot kept his cool as Lahore Qalandars defeated Islamabad United by one wicket in a thrilling contest at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday.

Chasing 146 to win the match, Qalandars were cruising till the 16^th over, courtesy sublime batting from middle-order batsman Umar Akmal.

However, cluster of wickets in the last three overs left Lahore needed six runs off five balls with just one wicket remaining.

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Elliot, who was not out on 20, struck a massive six on the bowling of Mohammad Sami to hand his team a much needed win.

Umar finished the innings with the top score of 66 off 42 balls with the help eight fours and three sixes.

For Islamabad, left-arm pacer Rumman Raees claimed three, whereas all-rounder Shadab Khan picked two wickets.

Earlier, after being put in to bat, Islamabad United managed to score 145 runs for the loss of eight wickets in their allotted 20 overs.

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United were in all sorts of trouble after losing their six wickets for just 83 runs, but 53-run seventh-wicket partnership between Shadab and Ammad Butt helped defending champions post a respectable total.

Shadab finished the innings with the top score of 42 off 24 balls with the help of two fours and three sixes.

For Lahore, pacer Amir Yamin claimed three, whereas leg-spinner Yasir Shah picked two wickets.

For his outstanding batting performance, Umar Akmal was awarded man of the match.

Presentation:

Umar Akmal (Man of the match): I want to thank my coaching staff for boosting me for today’s match. There was pressure on me, but I had believe that I can take my side home. I had in my mind that I have to my play my natural game, which is what I did.

Misbahul Haq: I think we lost early wicket. It was a 160 pitch, but our bowlers played really well. Umar played an extremely good innings and took the match away from us. The pressure is there, and this is how cricket is. You have to enjoy, and also focus on winning the next match.

Brendon McCullum: Yea another brilliant game to be a part off. Congratulations to Misbah and his team as well. It was a brilliant game of cricket. Umar is a huge player for us and he has already played some crucial innings for the team. You have to give credit to the opposition players as well, who bowled really well and put us under pressure.



LHR 146-9 (19 overs)

Mohammad Sami to bowl the final over.



LHR 140-8 (19 overs)

Seven runs and two wicket off the over. Great one from Rumman Raees

Rumman to bowl his final over of the day.



LHR 133-6 (18 overs)

Eleven off the over.

FOUR BYES

FOUR! Important boundary for Lahore Qalandars from Grant Elliot.

Mohammad Sami to start his new over.



LHR 122-6 (17 overs)

Twelve runs and a wicket off the over.

Shadab Khan to bowl his final over.



LHR 110-5 (16 overs)

Eight runs off the over.

Rumman to continue.



LHR 102-5 (15 overs)

Seven off it.

Mohammad Irfan to start his new over.



LHR 95-5 (14 overs)

Ten runs off the over. A good one for Lahore.

Rumman Raees to start his new over.



LHR 85-5 (13 overs)

Just four off the over.

Shadab Khan to continue.



LHR 81-5 (12 overs)

Twelve runs and a wicket off the over.

Shane Watson to start his new over.



15 off the over. A brilliant one for Lahore.

Ammad Butt to start his first over.



Just six runs and a wicket off the over.

Shane Watson to continue.



Just six off the over.

Shadab Khan to continue.



LHR 42-3 (8 overs)

Seven off the over.

Shane Watson to start his new over.



Just six runs and a huge wicket.

Shadab Khan to start his first over.



LHR 29-2 (6 overs)

Just two and a wicket off the over.

Rumman Raees to start his first over.



LHR 27-1 (5 overs)

Just four runs and a wicket off the over.

Mohammad Irfan to continue.



LHR 23-0 (4 overs)

Just three off the over.

Mohammad Sami to continue.



LHR 20-0 (3 overs)

Just five off the over.

Mohammad Irfan to continue.



LHR 15-0 (2 overs)

Nine runs off Sami's first over. A good one for Lahore.

Mohammad Sami to start his first over.



LHR 6-0 (1 over)

Just six runs off the over.

Mohammad Irfan to bowl his first over.


So it's Cameron Delport and Brendon McCullum to open for Lahore, whereas Mohammad Irfan to start for Islamabad.



So that's it every one. We will join you soon for the second half.



ISL 145-8 (20 overs)

OUT! Shadab Khan departs after scoring a timely 42.

Sohail Tanvir to bowl the final over.



ISL 136-6 (19 overs)

Eighteen off the over. Brilliant one for Islamabad.

Irfan to continue.



ISL 118-6 (18 overs)

Nine off the over.

Sohail Tanvir to start his new over.



ISL 109-6 (17 overs)

Just five off the over. A good one for Lahore.

Mohammad Irfan to start his new over.



ISL 104-6 (16 overs)

Nine off the over. A good one for Islamabad.

Narine to start his new over.



ISL 95-6 (15 overs)

Twelve runs off the over. A good one for Islamabad United.

Grant Elliot to start his first over.



ISL 83-6 (14 overs)

Just two runs and a wicket off the over. A good one for Lahore.

Narine to start his new over.



ISL 81-5 (13 overs)

Just two runs and a wicket.

Yasir Shah to start his new over.



ISL 79-4 (12 overs)

Just seven runs and a wicket off the over.

Aamir Yamin to start his new over.



ISL 72-3 (11 overs)

Six off the over.

Yasir Shah to continue.



ISL 66-3 (10 overs)

Just five off the over.

Mohammad Irfan to start his new over.



ISL 59-3 (9 overs)

Nine off the over. A good one Islamabad

Yasir Shah to start his new over.



ISL 50-3 (8 overs)

Seven off the over.

Narine to start his new over.



ISL 43-3 (7 overs)

Eight runs and a wicket off the over.

Yasir Shah to start his first over.



ISL 35-2 (6 overs)

Just a run and a wicket off the over. Great stuff by the youngster.

Yamin to continue.



ISL 34-1 (5 overs)

Just three off the over.

Sunil Narine to start his first over.



ISL 31-1 (4 overs)

Just three runs and a wicket off the over. A good one for Lahore.

Yamin to continue.



ISL 28-0 (3 overs)

Twelve off the over. A good one for Islamabad.

Sohail Tanvir to start his new over.



ISL 16-0 (2 overs)

Ten off the over.

Aamer Yamin to start his first over.



ISL 6-0 (1 over)

Just six off the over.

Sohail Tanvir to start his first over.



So it's Rafatullah and Dwayne Smith to open for Islamabad, and Sohail Tanvir to start for Lahore.



Toss: So it's Lahore Qalandars who won the toss and opted to bowl first.