Multan Sultans defeated Lahore Qalandars and qualifies for the final
Lahore: In the PSL 7 qualifier match, Multan Sultans defeated Lahore Qalandars by 28 runs to reach the final.
In the qualifying match of the seventh edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL 7) being played at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Multan Sultans batted first and scored 163 runs for the loss of 2 wickets in the stipulated 20 overs.
In pursuit of the target, the bowlers of Multan Sultans, especially Shahnawaz Dahani, bowled well, as a result of which the host team scored only 135 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in the stipulated 20 overs.
Abdullah Shafiq, who started the innings for Lahore Qalandars, scored 5 runs for the team after which Kamran Ghulam came to bat but he was run out after scoring 20 runs. Muhammad Hafeez failed again and gave his wicket to Khushdil Shah without opening an account.
On the other hand, Fakhar Zaman’s form continued to bat tremendously and he showed his dangerous intentions by hitting Imran Tahir with three sixes in a row in one over. However, Mohammad Rizwan made full use of his leadership skills and used fast bowlers.
Shahnawaz Dahani first sent Harry Brook to the pavilion for 13 runs and then caught an incredible catch on the bowling of David Willey and ended Samit Patel’s innings at 11 runs.
Later, Shahnawaz Dahani increased the difficulties of Lahore Qalandars by sending Phil Salt back to the pavilion without opening an account and then ended the match by taking wicket of skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Fakhar Zaman scored a half-century but fell victim to David Willey after playing an innings of 63 off 45 balls. His innings included 4 sixes and 2 fours. David Wiese played an 8-run innings.
For Multan Sultans, Shahnawaz Dahani took 3 wickets, David Willey took 2 wickets, Asif Afridi, Khushdil Shah and Ruman Raees took one wicket each.
Earlier, Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi won the toss and invited Multan Sultans to bat first. Multan Sultans captain Mohammad Rizwan and Shan Masood started the innings but Masood fell victim to Mohammad Hafeez in the second over after scoring 2 runs.
Aamir Azmat, who came to bat at number three, formed a 47-run partnership with captain Mohammad Rizwan and returned to the pavilion after playing an innings of 33 off 22 balls.
Rilee Rossouw and captain Mohammad Rizwan remained on the wicket till the end but still failed to provide a big total to the team which was mainly due to bowling by Lahore Qalandars which does not allow Multan Sultans batsmen to play aggressively.
Mohammad Rizwan and Rilee Rossouw scored half-centuries and both returned unbeaten. Mohammad Rizwan played a slow innings of 52 off 51 balls which included only 3 fours while Rilee Rossouw scored 65 off 42 balls which included the only six and 7 fours in the entire innings.
Muhammad Hafeez and Samit Patel took one wicket each for Lahore Qalandars.
