Stow, Hassan fire Unicorns into GSL qualifier

Callum Stow produced a four-wicket spell before Captain Hassan Khan struck an unbeaten half-century to guide the San Francisco Unicorns to a commanding seven-wicket victory over the Lahore Qalanders in the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL) at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence on Wednesday.
The result secured the Unicorns a place in Friday’s qualifier against the Desert Vipers, starting at 19:00h. The winner will meet the Guyana Amazon Warriors in Saturday’s final at the same time.
Chasing 153 for victory, the Unicorns raced to 156 for three in 15.2 overs. Hassan led the pursuit with an unbeaten 53 from 33 balls, hitting five sixes and two fours at a strike rate of 160.61.
Hammad Azam supported him with 18 not out from 11 balls as the pair completed the chase with 28 deliveries remaining.
The Unicorns made a positive start through Tim Robinson and Connor Esterhuizen, who added 45 runs for the opening wicket in 4.1 overs. Robinson struck two sixes and one four in his 21 from 15 balls before he was dismissed by Shahab Khan.
Esterhuizen maintained the momentum with 29 from 18 balls, including two fours and two sixes, but fell to Michael Bracewell with the score on 67.
Oliver Peake then joined Hassan in a match-defining 49-run partnership from 26 balls. Peake scored a rapid 27 from 15 deliveries before he was bowled by Shamim Hossain at 116 for three in the 12th over.
Hassan and Hammad ensured there was no late setback, with the Unicorns scoring freely against a Lahore attack that struggled to contain the chase. Bracewell, Shahab and Shamim claimed one wicket each.
Earlier, Lahore reached 152 for six after winning the toss and choosing to bat. Shayan Jahangir anchored the innings with 61 from 50 balls, hitting four sixes and two fours.
Jahangir shared a 74-run opening partnership with Shamyl Hussain, who made 36 from 36 balls. However, the Qalanders were unable to build sustained momentum after the opening stand.
Stow triggered the slowdown by dismissing Hussain before accounting for Mohammad Naeem, Bracewell and Jahangir. The seamer finished with four for 25 from four overs and was named Player of the Match.
Naeem scored 18 from 15 balls, while Bracewell made 10 from six. Fabian Allen and Peter Siddle took one wicket each as Lahore lost six wickets for 77 runs after their strong opening partnership.