LAHORE – Fans witnessed a nail-biting encounter of the Pakistan Super League season 8 final in which hosts Lahore Qalandars became the first team to successfully defend the PSL title.
Chasing a not-so-easy target of 201, Sultan’s opener Usman Khan managed to get 18 off 12, and David Wiese provided the breakthrough after dismissing him.
After losing the crucial player, Sultan continued the chase with Rilee Rossouw and Mohammad Rizwan contributing an impressive partnership of 64 runs. Rossouw returned to the hut by Rashid Khan just when the hitter threatened to take the game away from defending champions.
He scored 52 runs, and the Afghan spinner struck a second time in his last over outfoxing skipper Rizwan. Skipper Afridi, who remained an expensive bowler his first two overs, came back in his second spell and got fuming Kieron Pollard on 19.
Skipper however got three scalps in his final over to put Qalandars in a strong position to win the final of the event.
Earlier, the hosts struggled to start the crucial game perfectly but they managed to touch 34 runs in the first three overs, with opener Tahir Baig scoring 30 off 18 balls, he was dismissed by Ihsanullah.
After Baig’s exit, Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique stitched 57 in 38 balls for the second wicket. Abdullah Shadique starred by playing a knock of 65 before being outfoxed by Anwar Ali.
The middle order of the hosts however tumbled as Sultan’s bowling line spit fire, taking four back-to-back wickets. Spinner Usama Mir got three wickets in his first two overs as he outfoxed Fakhar Zaman, Sam Billings, and Ahsan Hafeez.
Later, Khushdil Shah got Sikandar Raza on mere 1. Skipper Shaheen Afridi again displayed A-game with batting as he played a quick knock of 44, courtesy of 5 maximums.
8️⃣5️⃣ runs in the last five overs! 🤯@iShaheenAfridi's dramatic power surge and @imabd28's classy fifty get @lahoreqalandars to an imposing total 💪
Can @MultanSultans chase this down❓#HBLPSL8 | #SabSitarayHumaray | #MSvLQ pic.twitter.com/0ayvqjl1bt
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 18, 2023
Cool and composed Lahore Qalandars have decided to bat first against in-form Multan Sultans during the final of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore today on Saturday.
🚨 TOSS UPDATE 🚨@lahoreqalandars elect to bat.
Follow ball-by-ball updates: https://t.co/CT8w7CIWEr#HBLPSL8 | #SabSitarayHumaray | #MSvLQ pic.twitter.com/jsW38DDaar
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 18, 2023
Playing XI
Multan Sultans: Usman Khan, Mohammad Rizwan (wk/c), Rilee Rossouw, Kieron Pollard, Tim David, Khushdil Shah, Anwar Ali, Usama Mir, Abbas Afridi, Sheldon Cottrell and Ihsanullah.
Lahore Qalandars: Mirza Tahir Baig, Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Sam Billings (wk), Ahsan Bhatti, Sikandar Raza, David Wiese, Rashid Khan, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf and Zaman Khan.
