Lahore Qalandars won the Pakistan Super League (PSL) title against Multan Sultans in a thrilling match that went down to the last ball. Shaheen Shah Afridi was the star of the show, scoring a belligerent 44 not out off just 15 balls and picking up four wickets in the death overs to finish with 4-51. Multan Sultans’ top-order batters made a strong start, with captain Mohammad Rizwan and Usman Khan scoring 34 and 18 runs respectively, but Lahore’s bowling lineup fought back. Leg-spinner Rashid Khan dismissed Rizwan and Rilee Rossouw, who had combined in a 64-run partnership, and Afridi returned to take the wickets of Kieron Pollard and Tim David. Multan Sultans needed four runs off the last delivery to level Lahore’s total of 200-6, but they were only able to score three, and Lahore won the match by one run.
Lahore Qalandars Wins Pakistan Super League Title Against Multan Sultans
In a stunning match that went down to the last ball, Lahore Qalandars defeated Multan Sultans by just one run to win the Pakistan Super League (PSL) on Saturday. It was a historic moment for Lahore Qalandars, as they became the first team to retain the title.
The defending champions had a solid start, with Shaheen Shah Afridi’s impressive all-round performance leading the way. Afridi scored a belligerent 44 not out off just 15 balls to help Lahore post a strong total of 200-6. He then picked up four wickets in the death overs to finish with 4-51.
Despite Multan Sultans’ top-order batters making a strong start, with captain Mohammad Rizwan and Usman Khan scoring 34 and 18 runs respectively, Lahore’s star-studded bowling lineup fought back. Leg-spinner Rashid Khan dismissed Rizwan and Rilee Rossouw, who had combined in a 64-run partnership, and Afridi returned to take the wickets of Kieron Pollard and Tim David.
In the end, Multan Sultans needed four runs off the last delivery to level Lahore’s total of 200-6. However, Khusdil Shah was run out while going for the third run, and Multan finished at 199-8. Khushdil and Abbas Afridi smacked fast bowler Haris Rauf for 22 runs in the penultimate over before Zaman Khan kept his nerve to give Lahore Qalandars the victory.
“It was difficult early on as the momentum swung in the final,” Afridi said. “We kept our nerves and succeeded to win crucial moments in the game.”
The win was even more impressive given Multan Sultans had beaten Lahore Qalandars in the qualifier before Lahore beat Peshawar Zalmi in their elimination game. Mohammad Rizwan finished the tournament as the top-scorer with 550 runs in 12 games.
Lahore Qalandars’ Abdullah Shafique made a risky 65 off 40 balls, while Afridi hit five sixes and two fours to help his team recover from a stumble at 112-5 in the 15th over.
“My heart was pounding in the last over, but my captain told me to try my best,” Zaman said. “I knew batters are anticipating yorkers so I bowled a few slower ones as well.”
The match was played in front of 25,000 fans, and both Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans had played in last year’s final. Lahore Qalandars began this year’s tournament with a one-run win against Multan Sultans in the opening game.
Lahore’s Afridi Shines Against Multan’s Top Wicket-Takers in PSL
In the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final, Shaheen Shah Afridi’s brilliant all-round performance led Lahore Qalandars to victory against Multan Sultans. Afridi’s belligerent 44 not out off just 15 balls allowed Lahore to add 71 runs off the last four overs. Multan’s top two wicket-takers in the tournament – Abbas Afridi and Ihsanullah – were smashed for 49 runs in three overs in the death overs. Abbas Afridi topped the bowling charts with 23 wickets in the tournament, followed by Ihsanullah on 22.
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