Photo Credit: Twitter / @thePSLt20 | Lahore captain Qalandars Shaheen Shah Afridi gestures after his side won the PSL title for the second time after beating Multan Sultans March 18, 2023 in Lahore.
Lahore Qalandars successfully defended their Pakistan Super League (PSL) title after beating Multan Sultans by one point in the final of the tournament at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium. The Sultans' pursuit for the intimidating 201-point goal came very close to their goal, but they lost by one point in a game that was a roller coaster of emotions for all fans.
During the chase, David Wiese broke through in the fourth round after defeating half opponent Usman Khan. The right foot scored 18 runs from 12 balls.
Despite an early loss, the Sultans made sure to keep up the pace needed as Rilee Rossouw and Mohammad Rizwan delivered an impressive pairing of 64 runs from 42 balls. However, Rossouw was knocked out by Rashid Khan when the batsman threatened to take Qalandars out of the game. The South African scored 52 runs from 32 balls.
Rashid struck again in his final when Rizwan, 34 to 23, died trying to cross a long line. It required excellent outfield play from David Wiese, who caught the ball, kept his balance and then kicked the ball in the air over the top rope before returning to the boundary to finish the catch.
Shaheen, who had lost 34 runs in his first two overs, returned in his second spell to take the wicket from the dangerous Kieron Pollard. The versatile Windies player hit 19 runs from 16 balls.
Shaheen also scored three goals in their grand final to put their team in a strong position to win the game.
However, Haris Rauf dropped 22 runs in the penultimate inning to make for an exciting ending to the game. But Zaman Khan kept his composure to finish his side in the final round of the game.
Previously, Qalandar went 200-6 in his 20 overs allowed. After a quick start with the Qalandars scoring 34 runs in the first three overs, Flyhalf Tahir Baig was knocked out by Ihsanullah with a short, sharp ball. The right-hander hit 30 runs from 18 balls.
The strike combined with good bowling helped the Sultans stem the tide of the series as Lahore went 82-1 at halftime.
Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique provided the second goal on 57 carries from 38 balls, but just as they were looking to increase their batting average, the Sultans thwarted the batting side's plans with four quick goals. Leg spinner Usama Mir scored three goals in her first two overs, including scalpers Zaman (39), Sam Billings (9) and Ahsan Hafeez (0). As the Qalandars fought, Captain Shaheen came onto the field and attacked the Multan players with sensational punches. He went unbeaten in 44 15-ball carries, including two fours and five highs.
Shafique also restarted at the bottom of the inning and hit 65 runs from 40 balls. He hit eight fours and two sixes. Osama Mir was the Sultans' favorite bowler with numbers 3-24 in three overs.
Sultans defeated Qalandars in qualifying and secured a spot in the finals. While Lahore defeated Peshawar Zalmi to qualify for the championship game.
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Sultans from Multan: Usman Khan, Mohammad Rizwan (sep/c), Rilee Rossouw, Kieron Pollard, Tim David, Khushdil Shah, Anwar Ali, Usama Mir, Abbas Afridi, Sheldon Cottrell and Ihsanullah.
Qalandar from Lahore: Mirza Tahir Baig, Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Sam Billings (Week), Ahsan Bhatti, Sikandar Raza, David Wiese, Rashid Khan, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf and Zaman Khan.
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