Quetta Gladiators 136 for nine (20 ov)
Lahore Qalandars 128 all out (18.4 ov)
Result Quetta won by 8 runs
Quetta Gladiators overcame a late scare to begin their Pakistan Super League campaign off in winning fashion as they defeated Lahore Qalandars by eight runs in Dubai.
Quetta had looked to be in control when Lahore had slumped to 77 for six, needed another 59 runs to win.
But a stand of 40 between Grant Elliott and Sunil Narine had seemed to swing the game back Lahore’s way.
But Elliott was bowled out for 26 by Mohammed Nawaz, Bilawal Bhatti was run out for one, and then Narine was trapped leg before by Tymal Mills for 26 to leave Lahore needing 13 with one wicket remaining.
Yasir Shah was the final man to fall as he was caught and bowled by Hasan Khan to spark the Quetta celebrations.
Earlier, the Quetta innings had looked as if it was in serious danger of collapse when they slumped to 56 for five after being put into bat by Lahore.
But 60 off 47 balls from Rilee Rossouw steadied the ship, and a stand of 45 for the seventh wicket with Hasan Khan (16) got them to 136 for nine.
Lahore openers Jason Roy (27) and captain Brendon McCullum had got their reply off to a brisk start, but both fell and that started a mini collapse.
But Elliott and Narine looked set to stage a great escape before Quetta bounced back in the final stages.
Lahore will look to bounce back on Saturday when they take on Islamabad United at 3.30pm, with Quetta in action at 8pm against Karachi Kings.
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