LAHORE: Multan Sultans, the defending champions, qualified to the final of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) after defeating Lahore Qalandars by 28 runs at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday.
The Qalandars achieved 135 for the loss of nine wickets in the allocated overs, chasing a short target of 164 runs, as the Sultan spinners ripped through the Shaheen Shah Afridi-led side’s batting line-up.
Multan spinners kept things tight for Lahore hitters from the start, as they were on target. With Lahore’s score at 17 runs, left-arm spinner Asif Afridi removed opener Abdullah Shafique.
Fakhar Zaman and Kamran Ghulam formed a minor alliance, but Kamran was ousted. As Lahore’s situation worsens, Mohammad Hafeez was ejected for zero.
While Harry Brook and Fakhar put together a 54-run innings to keep Lahore in the game, it was Dahani who turned the game around, removing Harry for 13 runs and sending the next batsman, Samit Patel, home with a spectacular catch.
Following then, the Sultans absolutely took control of the game, since the other hitters had no idea how to hit boundaries against Multan’s outstanding bowling.
Dahani was outstanding with figures of 3-19, Willey picked two, while Rumman Raees, Khushdil Shah, and Asif each picked one.
The Sultans had earlier scored 163 runs in 20 overs, with Rilee Rossouw’s 65 runs, as the Lahore Qalandars exerted early pressure after deciding to bowl first.
Both the pacers and spinners from Lahore bowled well, keeping things tight for the in-form Multan hitters.
Shaheen handed off the second over to off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez, who immediately demonstrated his prowess against left-handed batters by picking Shan Masood’s wicket on the first ball.
Rizwan, like in the previous game versus United, played intelligently and in accordance with the situation. He kept the early pressure going without taking any chances and varied the strike.
Aamer Azmat hit 33 runs off 22 balls, Rizwan hit 53 runs off 51 balls, and Rossuw hit 65 runs off 42 balls, including seven fours and one six, to help Multan reach 163.
Hafeez was outstanding with the ball, bowling great figures of 1-16 in four overs.
After winning the toss, the Lahore Qalandars chose to bowl first against the Multan Sultans.
