In a heart-pounding high-scoring final at the Gaddafi Stadium, the Lahore Qalandars narrowly defended their title as PSL champions, edging past Multan Sultans by just one run for the second time in a row. The thrilling match was filled with breathtaking moments and outstanding performances, with Shaheen Afridi‘s incredible all-round display stealing the show. Pushing the boundaries of excellence, Afridi smashed an unbeaten 44 off just 15 balls, supporting Abdullah Shafique‘s 40-ball 65 and propelling the Qalandars to a formidable total of 200/6. The Sultans, however, were not prepared to go down without a fight. Rilee Rossouw‘s impressive half-century, complemented by valuable contributions from the rest of the lineup, brought them agonizingly close to victory. Nonetheless, amid the ebb and flow of a nail-biting contest, it was Shaheen Afridi who made the difference once again by taking four crucial wickets and ensuring the Qalandars held their nerve to retain their crown as PSL champions.
The exhilarating chase commenced with the Sultans taking an impressive lead right from the beginning, as Usman Khan and Mohammad Rizwan effortlessly set the tempo with a spectacular display of boundaries. Usman’s impressive performance, marked by four consecutive fours, was eventually halted by David Wiese in the fourth over. However, this did nothing to slow down the thrilling onslaught of shots as Rizwan and Rossouw steered the Sultans past the 50-mark in the fifth over, ultimately reaching a remarkable 72 runs by the end of the powerplay. The Sultans continued their dominating presence on the field with the next three overs yielding an additional 29 runs, propelling them past the 100-run milestone. Rossouw, in particular, showcased a brilliant performance by achieving a half-century within just 30 balls. The Sultans displayed an exceptional display of skill and teamwork that undeniably left their fans exhilarated and looking forward to more such performances.
In the thrilling final match, Rashid Khan‘s remarkable performance from one end kept the pressure mounting on the opposing team. His superb bowling skills sent Rossouw back to the pavilion, further proving his worth as a prominent player from Afghanistan. The spectacular catch by Wiese also played a crucial role in securing Rizwan’s wicket, allowing Khan to wrap up his spell boasting impressive figures of 2 for 26. As the game intensified, Tim David stepped up to the challenge and smashed a pair of boundaries, narrowing the required score down to 60 runs in the last five overs. Despite Kieron Pollard‘s valiant effort to hit a four off Shaheen Afridi, he eventually succumbed, bringing the Sultans past the 150 mark in just 16 overs. This enthralling match was destined for an exhilarating finish, perfectly exemplifying the excitement of a high-scoring final.
David and Khushdil Shah had been keeping the required rate from getting out of hand; despite their success in doing so, on the 18th over, Shaheen’s crucial wicket of David led to a major setback for the Sultans. Although Khushdil managed to hit a four in the same over, Shaheen capitalized further by having two more wickets – Anwar Ali bowled and Usama Mir caught at mid-off. With 35 runs needed off the last two overs and Wiese still keeping up his fine catching form, it looked like all hope was lost for the Sultans. But Haris Rauf took them by surprise as he gave away only 22 runs in his 19th-over bowling spell; combined with Khushdil‘s earlier six and Abbas Afridi‘s final-over contributions of a six and two fours, they managed to get 13 runs off that over itself – now they only needed 13 more off 6 balls to win!
In a nail-biting finale, Zaman Khan displayed exceptional bowling skills, effectively restricting the opposition to just two runs from his first three deliveries. The pressure intensified as a pair of byes inched the score closer to the finish line, with the target now being eight runs off the final two balls. Hearts racing, Khushdil stepped up and blasted a four off the penultimate ball, but Zaman wasn’t about to let victory slip from his grasp. With one ball left and six runs now separating the teams, Zaman masterfully delivered a yorker, restricting Khushdil to just a couple of runs. In that moment, the Qalandars claimed victory in a dramatic battle that left spectators on the edge of their seats.
The Qalandars set a strong base for their innings in the beginning, with aggressive batting from the talented duo, Mirza Tahir Baig and Fakhar Zaman. Following their successful partnership in the second Eliminator, Baig continued his fantastic form, contributing a swift 30 runs to a 38-run opening stand. Ihsanullah eventually curtailed their momentum, putting an end to Baig’s impressive display. Meanwhile, Fakhar wasted no time in picking up the pace, smashing a couple of boundaries and propelling the Qalandars past fifty at the seventh over. Next, the dynamic Abdullah Shafique joined the fray, showcasing his prowess by sending a stunning shot from Abbas Afridi soaring over the boundary for a six, and topping it off with a remarkable shot over cover off Pollard for a four. With both Fakhar and Shafique on a roll, Ihsanullah faced the onslaught of fierce batting as the Qalandars continued their ascent, reaching an impressive 82/1 halfway through their innings. The exciting match showcased the true essence of spirited competition and the skillful players involved.
Fakhar’s impressive performance in the match was marked by his consistent collection of fours, contributing greatly to his half-century partnership with Shafique. However, his momentum came to a halt during the 12th over when he was dismissed by Mir while attempting a pull. Sam Billings tried to maintain the team’s energy by hitting a six off Mir, but unfortunately, the bowler retaliated swiftly by taking out the England batter and Ahsan Bhatti in back-to-back deliveries. Khushdil Shah further dampened the Qalandars’ spirits when he ensured a brief stint at the crease for Sikandar Raza. This series of events led to a significant loss of 16 runs with four wickets for the Qalandars, leaving them at a disappointing 112/5 by the 15th over.
The excitement during the cricket match was palpable as the Qalandars looked to set a total score of around 150-160, which seemed like a fair challenge at that particular juncture of the game. Nevertheless, skipper Shaheen displayed exceptional determination and skill, as he went on to score two exceptional fours and five spectacular sixes. He forged a remarkable partnership with Shafique, resulting in an astounding 66-run stand within just 27 deliveries. This game-changing collaboration led the Qalandars to accumulate a whopping 85 runs during the last five overs. The dazzling death overs charge kicked off with a 14-run over from Mir, setting the stage for Ihsanullah to concede 24 runs in the crucial 17th over. Ultimately, the incredible teamwork and tenacity exhibited by the Qalandars left the spectators awestruck and on the edge of their seats.
In a thrilling display of power-hitting, Qalandars managed to finish their innings with a bang, thanks to the heroics of both Shaheen and Shafique. Shaheen’s over in particular grabbed attention as he bludgeoned two sixes and a four, while also benefiting from five wides. On the other hand, Shafique capitalized on an early reprieve from Pollard, quickly reaching a 35-ball fifty with two fours off Abbas. He then continued the onslaught with a six and two more fours off Anwar before finally succumbing. Undeterred by Shafique’s dismissal, Shaheen ensured the fireworks carried on by ending the over with a massive six, resulting in 22 runs off the penultimate over. Showing immense determination, the Qalandars captain added more to the scoreboard in the final over, smashing a glorious boundary and a towering maximum off Abbas. Ultimately, their combined efforts enabled the Qalandars to conclude their innings on a high note, leaving their opponents with a challenging total to chase.
