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| Photo: PCB |
Lahore Qalandars: Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Lahore Qalandars got off to a solid start with Mirza Baig providing early momentum. However, they lost Fakhar Zaman (39 off 34) and Sam Billings cheaply to Usama Mir (3-24), which dented their progress. A middle-order collapse saw them at 112/5 before Shaheen Shah Afridi (44* off 15) unleashed a furious onslaught in the final overs. Supported by David Wiese's quickfire 28*, Qalandars posted a formidable total of 200/6 in 20 overs.
Multan Sultans: In pursuit of 201 for victory, Multan Sultans started explosively with Mohammad Rizwan (50 off 23) and Rilee Rossouw (52 off 32) laying a strong foundation. They were comfortably placed at 105/1 at the halfway mark. However, a key wicket by Rashid Khan (2-26) and effective bowling changes brought Lahore back into the game. Despite a late surge by Khushdil Shah (29* off 12) and Abbas Afridi (17* off 7), Multan Sultans fell agonizingly short by one run, finishing at 199/8 in 20 overs.
Key Moments:
Lahore Qalandars' Batting: Mirza Baig provided a brisk start, but it was Shaheen Shah Afridi's explosive innings towards the end that propelled Qalandars to a competitive total. His 44* off 15 balls, including four sixes, was crucial in pushing the team's total beyond the 200-run mark.
Multan Sultans' Chase: Mohammad Rizwan and Rilee Rossouw's aggressive batting set the tone for Multan's chase. Rossouw's 52 included powerful hitting all around the ground, putting the Sultans ahead of the required rate early on.
Lahore's Death Bowling: Despite Multan's strong start, Lahore Qalandars' death bowling, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi (4-51), tightened the screws in the crucial overs. Afridi's ability to take wickets at key moments disrupted Sultans' momentum.
Final Over Drama: With 13 needed off the last over, Multan Sultans' Khushdil Shah and Abbas Afridi almost pulled off a miraculous win. However, needing 4 off the final ball, Khushdil Shah was run out attempting a second run, sealing Lahore Qalandars' victory by the narrowest of margins.
Conclusion: The PSL final between Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans was a rollercoaster of emotions, ending with Lahore Qalandars clinching their second consecutive title in a nail-biting finish. Shaheen Shah Afridi's all-round performance, coupled with effective contributions from the Qalandars' middle order, outlasted Multan Sultans' spirited chase led by Mohammad Rizwan and Rilee Rossouw. The match will be remembered for its intense drama and the Qalandars' ability to hold their nerve under pressure to defend their title successfully.
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