After defeating Multan Sultans by 21 runs on Saturday, Lahore Qalandars became the first team in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) to reach the playoffs. Sultans got off to a good start in their pursuit of the 181-run goal, with Mohammad Rizwan and Shan Masood surviving the powerplay and scoring 44 runs each. However, Masood was run out in the seventh over of the innings thanks to a superb catch by Shaheen Afridi off Zaman Khan’s bowling. The left-hander scored 19 runs in 20 Balls.
After a successful review, Sikandar Raza took Mohammad Rizwan’s prized wicket, scoring 30 runs in 27 balls. The LBW appeal was denied by the on-field umpire, but the replay showed three reds. Although the experiment only produced 17 runs in 11 balls, Usama Mir was promoted up the order in an unexpected call to score some quick runs. Rashid Khan got rid of Mir, who started at number three and batted. In the same match, the Afghanistan leg-spinner also kicked out David Miller (1) following yet another successful review by the Qalandars.
Rilee Rossouw was also sent back to the pavilion by Rashid Khan, who finished with figures of 3-15 in four overs. Multan failed to cross the finish line although Kieron Pollard scored 39 runs in 28 balls. Zaman Khan, Haris Rauf, Sikandar Raza, and Hussain Talat guaranteed one wicket each. In 20 overs, Multan was limited to 159-7.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat first against Multan Sultans at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Lahore Qalandars had previously set a target of 181 runs. In the 20 overs they were given, Lahore scored 180-9. When the talented opener Fakhar Zaman (0) attempted to clear the fence, he was caught by the third man, dealing a serious blow to the batting side in the first over.
In the meantime, Mirza Tahir Baig was run out by Ihsanullah in the fifth over of the innings after a 50-run partnership with Abdullah Shafique. In just 11 pitches, the right-hander drove in 17 runs. Shafique formed a new, productive partnership with Sam Billings after losing Baig. However, Shafique was caught and bowled by Kieron Pollard, breaking the 69-run stand with 48 runs in 35 balls.
Billings misjudged a Pollard delivery and was caught in front of the stumps, looking set for a big one. Six fours and two sixes helped the English batter score 54 runs in 35 pitches.
David Wiese remained unbeaten with 15 runs while Sikandar Raza scored 14 runs.
After losing five wickets and scoring only 38 runs in the final five overs, Lahore was unable to achieve the finish they desired at the tail end of the innings. After a thrilling encounter, Lahore defeated Multan by one run in their previous PSL 8 matchup.
Multan Sultan Eleven Side
- Mohammad Rizwan(w/c)
- Shan Masood
- Rilee Rossouw
- David Miller
- Kieron Pollard
- Khushdil Shah
- Anwar Ali
- Usama Mir
- Abbas Afridi
- Sameen Gul
- Ihsanullah
Lahore Qalander Eleven Side
- Fakhar Zaman
- Mirza Tahir Baig
- Abdullah Shafique
- Sam Billings(w)
- Hussain Talat
- Sikandar Raza
- David Wiese
- Rashid Khan
- Shaheen Afridi(c)
- Haris Rauf
- Zaman Khan
Technical Analysis
In a thrilling encounter on Saturday, Lahore Qalandars defeated Multan Sultans by 21 runs to become the first team to qualify for the playoffs of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 8. The match took place at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, where Lahore Qalandars won the toss and was elected to bat first.
The Lahore Qalandars started their innings on a negative note as their in-form opener Fakhar Zaman got out for a duck in the first over of the match. Mirza Tahir Baig and Abdullah Shafique steadied the innings with a 50-run partnership, but Baig was run out in the fifth over of the innings.
After losing Baig, Shafique formed a productive partnership with Sam Billings. The duo added 69 runs together, with Shafique scoring 48 runs in 35 balls. However, Kieron Pollard dismissed Shafique to break the partnership.
Billings continued to bat aggressively and scored 54 runs off 35 balls before being dismissed by Pollard. David Wiese remained unbeaten on 15 runs, while Sikandar Raza scored 14 runs. Lahore Qalandars were restricted to 180-9 in their 20 overs.
In their chase of 181 runs, Multan Sultans got off to a good start as their openers Mohammad Rizwan and Shan Masood scored 44 runs each. Masood was nevertheless out for the innings after a brilliant catch by Shaheen Afridi from Zaman Khan’s bowling in the seventh over.
Sikandar Raza scored 30 runs in just 27 balls to get Mohammad Rizwan’s prized wicket following a successful review. The on-field umpire rejected the LBW claim, but the review revealed three reds.
Usama Mir has promoted up the order to score some quick runs, but he was dismissed by Rashid Khan. Rashid Khan also dismissed David Miller (1) following a successful review by Lahore Qalandars.
Rilee Rossouw was also sent back to the pavilion by Rashid Khan, who finished with figures of 3-15 in four overs. Multan Sultans failed to cross the finish line despite Kieron Pollard’s 39 runs off 28 balls. Zaman Khan, Haris Rauf, Sikandar Raza, and Hussain Talat took one wicket each. Multan Sultans were restricted to 159-7 in their 20 overs.
Lahore Qalandars won the match by 21 runs and became the first team to qualify for the playoffs of PSL season 8. Rashid Khan was declared the player of the match for his impressive bowling performance.
The victory was crucial for Lahore Qalandars as it helped them maintain their position at the top of the PSL points table. The team has won five out of their seven matches and has 10 points.
Multan Sultans, on the other hand, are currently in the fifth position on the PSL points table, having won only two matches out of their seven. The team needs to win their remaining matches to have a chance of qualifying for the playoffs.
Lahore Qalandars will play their next match against Peshawar Zalmi on April 10, while Multan Sultans will face Quetta Gladiators on April 12. Both matches will take place at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Conclusion
Lahore Qalandars’ victory over Multan Sultans by 21 runs in the Pakistan Super League match was a thrilling encounter for fans of both teams. Lahore Qalandars became the first team to secure their place in the playoffs with this win. The match was marked by some exceptional performances from both teams, with standout performances from Mohammad Rizwan and Shan Masood for Multan Sultans, and Sam Billings and Rashid Khan for Lahore Qalandars.
The match was an excellent showcase of the talent and skills of the players in the Pakistan Super League. The batsmen displayed their class with some exceptional stroke play, while the bowlers bowled with precision and accuracy, making it difficult for the batsmen to score runs. The fielding was also top-notch, with some breathtaking catches and run-outs that added to the excitement of the game.
Lahore Qalandars’ win was not only important for their own position in the tournament but also for the morale of the team. The victory will give them the confidence they need to perform well in the remaining matches and possibly go on to win the tournament. Multan Sultans, on the other hand, will need to regroup and work on their weaknesses to improve their chances of making it to the playoffs.
Overall, the match was an excellent display of cricket and showcased the quality of talent in the Pakistan Super League. With more matches to come, fans can look forward to more thrilling encounters between the top teams in the tournament.