David Wiese produced a sensational performance in the final overs of each of the two innings of the PSL 7 Eliminator 2 against Islamabad United at the Gaddafi Stadium to guide his side to a six-run win and a place in the PSL 7 final alongside defending champions Multan Sultans on Sunday.
The South African born Namibian first turned the game on its head with the bat as he smashed Waqas Maqsood for 26 runs in the final over of the Qalandars innings. That 27 run over lifted Qalandars from a below-par score of 141 for seven to 168 for seven in a matter of six balls. Weise remained undefeated with his explosive 28 off eight (one four, three sixes).
The all-rounder was then given the task of defending 8 runs in the final over for his team. The veteran outfoxed Islamabad’s batters conceding just one run off four balls. Mohammad Wasim Jnr’s run out and Waqas’ heave caught by Abdullah Shafique sealed United’s fate 6 runs short of the target.
Lahore won the toss and opted to bat first but were rocked by Liam Dawson early on. The left arm spinner sent back the tournament’s leading run-getter Fakhar Zaman for 1 before knocking over Phil Salt in his second over.
Abdullah Shafique and Kamran Ghulam slowly restored some order through a 73 run stand. Abdullah particularly played some exquisite strokes on his way to his maiden HBL PSL half-century. The right-hander top-scored for Qalandars with 52 off 28 (four fours, three sixes).
Kamran contributed 30 off 26 (three fours, one six) before his dismissal. Qalandars stuttered in the middle overs failing to gain any momentum. Samit Patel scored 21 (18) while Mohammad Hafeez struggled to get going with a run-a-ball 28.
In the crucial final over of the innings Wiese went 6,6,4,2,6,2 to post a challenging total for the opposition.
Dawson with two for 24 was the pick of the United bowlers.
In reply, United lost four early wickets and were in real trouble at 46 for four even after a fast start. Paul Stirling (13), Will Jacks (0), Shadab Khan (14) and Liam Dawson (12) were back in the dugout before the sixth over wrapped up.
Qalandars skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi first dented the chase by taking two of the first four wickets to fall in an inspired opening spell.
Alex Hales (38 off 29, two fours and one six) and Azam Khan (40 off 28, three fours, two sixes) rescued the slide with a 79-run fourth-wicket stand.
Qalandars clawed their way back into the game after Azam was run-out at 125 in the 14th over but it was Hales’ departure that brought Lahore’s belief back.
Asif Ali kept United poised for a win with a 25 off 21 balls but ballooned a pull-shot off Rauf’s bowling which was gladly accepted by Harry Brook.
United needed eight runs in the final over for the win. With Wiese not offering any pace to hit the ball, Wasim took of for a risky second run and was caught short of his crease. United’s fate was sealed on the very next ball as Waqas’ heave only managed to find the hands of Abdullah Shafique much to the delight of a noisy Lahore crowd.
The Qalandars will take on Multan Sultans in the final on Sunday.
