Lahore Qalandars defeated Multan Sultans in the opening match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2023 at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Monday.
Khushdil Shah hit two boundaries off the last two balls to take the chase even closer. Youngster Zaman Khan managed to defend 14 runs in the last over to give his team victory.
Mohammad Rizwan and Shaan Masood put Sultans in a commanding position with a 100-run partnership for the first wicket. Rizwan scored his 13th PSL fifty against the defending champions.
Both the batsmen did not let the Qalandars bowlers loose even for a moment and stayed at the crease for a long time. The Qalandars finally got a breakthrough through Hussain Talat, who sent Masood, who scored 35 off 31 balls, back to the pavilion.
Later, Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi bowled out Rizwan as he scored 75 runs in 50 balls to take the home side to 131-2.
After the two openers, Qalandar’s captain and his bowling partner Haris Rauf brought their team back into the game.
The left-hander bowled a sensational fourth over.
South Africa’s David Miller, known for his power-hitting skills, was cleaned up by Rauf, who bowled a sharp yorker to dismiss the left-hander, who scored 25 runs.
Last over drama
15 runs needed in the last over, Shaheen gave the ball to Zaman. The youngster opened the over with a brilliant yorker and gave away a run.
Hard hitter Kieron Pollard was sent packing on the next ball as he tried to score two runs but unfortunately could not reach the crease in time.
The third ball was a quick full toss from Zaman that hit the thigh pad of Usman Khan and the batsman was adjudged LBW.
After bowling a wide, the right-arm pacer bowled another sensational delivery which also resulted in him being run out as Usama Mir had to depart for a wicket.
Khushdal hit back-to-back boundaries off his last two balls, but Sultan fell two runs short of his target.
Batting first, defending champions Qalandars scored 176 runs in 20 overs thanks to Fakhar’s 66 off 42 balls. The left-handed batsman completed his 2000 runs in PSL.
Young opening batsman Mirza Tahir Baig scored 36 runs off 26 balls before being dismissed by Aqeel Hussain.
The two batsmen laid a strong foundation for the Qalandars with a 61-run partnership for the first wicket.
Meanwhile, wicketkeeper Shai Hope also scored 19 runs off 17 balls.
All-rounders Sikandar Raza (19) and Hussain Talat (20) put on a 39-run partnership for the fifth wicket to reach a competitive total.
On behalf of Multan Sultans, Osama and Ehsanullah took two wickets each while Akil took one wicket.
Mohammad Rizwan is leading Multan while Shaheen Afridi is in charge of defending champions Qalandars.
Playing XI
Multan Sultans: Muhammad Rizwan, Shaan Masood, Usman Khan, David Miller, Kieron Pollard, Khushdil Shah, Aqeel Hussain, Osama Mir, Samin Gul, Shahnawaz Dahani, Ehsanullah.
Lahore Qalandars: Fakhar Zaman, Tahir Baig, Shai Hope, Kamran Ghulam, Hussain Talat, Sikandar Raza, Liam Dawson, David Wise, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan.
