GSL 2026: Mir and Bracewell keep Lahore Qalandars unbeaten

Lahore Qalandars maintained their unbeaten start to the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League, defeating the Desert Vipers by 38 runs at the Guyana National Stadium on Friday. Driven by a late-over rescue act from Michael Bracewell and Parvez Hossain Emon, the Qalandars set a formidable 176 before leg-spinner Usama Mir tore through the Vipers’ middle order to seal the contest. Having won the toss and elected to bat, the Qalandars stumbled early. Left-arm spinner Khary Pierre (2 for 14) struck vital blows in a highly economical three-over spell, holding onto a return catch to dismiss Abdullah Shafique (8) shortly after Shamyl Hussain (9) had holed out to mid-off. Opener Shayan Jahangir (28) and the aggressive Farhan Yousaf (22)—fresh off a record-breaking half-century in the tournament opener against the Perth Scorchers—provided brief stability, but the Qalandars still found themselves awkwardly placed midway through the innings. The turnaround came via a blistering 83-run fifth-wicket stand between Qalandars skipper Bracewell and Emon as the pair needed just 37 deliveries to shift the momentum, punishing the Vipers’ death bowling. Bracewell blasted an unbeaten 49, clearing the ropes three times alongside four boundaries, while Emon matched the intensity with a 33-ball 47 (3x4s, 3x6s) to propel the score to a competitive 176 for 4. In response, the Vipers started brightly. Kyle Mayers (30) and Andries Gous laid a solid foundation, putting on a 70-run opening stand that extended just beyond the powerplay. Gous looked in command, striking a fluent 56 laced with seven boundaries and two sixes. However, once the opening pair was separated, the Vipers’ chase dramatically unravelled. Mir was the chief architect of the collapse, ripping through the middle order to finish with outstanding figures of 4 for 23 from his four overs. He bowled Saiteja Makkamalla for a duck and stifled the scoring rate as the required run rate climbed. Rilee Rossouw fell for 9, and while the Vipers’ skipper managed a battling 13, the lower order folded quickly under pressure, underscored by Bevon Jacobs departing for a golden duck. Mir was expertly supported by Mehran Mumtaz (2 for 28) and Shahab Khan, who delivered a tight three-over spell of 2 for 16. The innings concluded on the final ball of the 20th over when Raymond Simmons was trapped lbw, leaving the Vipers 38 runs short at 138 all out. The five-team tournament continues on Saturday evening as the Vipers face defending champions Guyana Amazon Warriors from 7:00 pm. (GSLT20)