With a sensational half-century by Kieron Pollard, Multan Sultans achieved a thumping 84-run victory over Lahore Qalandars in the PSL Qualifier held at the jam-packed Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday night.
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This victory has secured Multan Sultans’ position in the HBL PSL 8 final, making it their third consecutive year in the final.
The Sultans’ outstanding performance was evident in every department, ensuring their victory over the Qalandars.
Lahore Qalandars Innings:
The Lahore Qalandars had a daunting task ahead of them, chasing a target of 161, but they were bundled out for a mere 76 runs. The Multan Sultans had set up the victory with disciplined batting, followed by their bowlers who were equally effective.
Mirza Baig’s dismissal started the downfall of the Qalandars, and it continued quickly thereafter.
Anwar Ali cleaned up Fakhar Zaman, who had been in sublime form throughout the tournament. Cottrell took down Abdullah Shafique on a duck and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who promoted himself, was bowled on a duck by Cottrell.
Although Sam Billings tried to resist, he was eventually dismissed by Ihsanullah, scoring only 19 runs off 27 balls. Hussain Talat was runout by Usman Khan, while Sikandar Raza hoicked Kieron Pollard straight to Abbas Afridi, scoring only 1 run off 3 balls.
Usama Mir was the most successful bowler for the Sultans, claiming the wickets of Rashid Khan and David Wiese. Haris Rauf scored 15 runs off 13 balls, but ultimately paved the way for the Sultans to cement their place in the final on Sunday.
Cottrell spearheaded the Sultans’ bowling attack, claiming three wickets with figures of 3-20. Usama Mir picked up two wickets in his two overs with figures of 2-12. Anwar Ali, Abbas Afridi, and Ihsanullah each took a wicket to contribute to the Sultans’ commanding victory.
Multan Sultans Innings:
In the playoff of the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at Qaddafi Stadium on Wednesday, Multan Sultans put up a total of 160-5 against Lahore Qalandars, thanks to Kieron Pollard’s 34-ball 57.
Pollard’s dazzling knock included a boundary and six maximums, and he was well supported by Tim David, who scored an unbeaten 22 off 15.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, the Sultans’ openers, Mohammad Rizwan and Usman Khan, started off cautiously, putting up a 53-run partnership in 45 balls. Mohammad Rizwan scored a circumspect 29-ball 33, including three boundaries, before being dismissed by Qalandars’ Rashid Khan.
Usman Khan, who had played an incredible innings against Quetta Gladiators, could only manage a run-a-ball 29, with four boundaries.
The turning point in the Sultans’ innings came with the dismissal of Rilee Rossouw (13 off 12) who was deceived by Zaman Khan while attempting a big hit over midwicket.
In the 19th over, Kieron Pollard hammered Qalandars’ skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi for three sixes, which helped Multan Sultans reach a decent total.
However, the last over belonged to Haris Rauf, who used his variations brilliantly, striking twice in successive deliveries to dismiss Pollard and Khushdil Shah (0 off 1).
For the Qalandars, Haris Rauf (3-34) was the standout performer with the ball, bagging three wickets. Rashid Khan was once again brilliant, claiming a wicket and conceding just 18 runs in his four overs.
Zaman Khan took a crucial wicket of Rilee Rossouw, conceding 36 runs.
Brief Scores for Lahore Qalandars vs Multan Sultans Match:
- Multan Sultans: 160/5 after 20 overs
- Lahore Qalandars: 76 all out after 14.3 overs
- Full Scorecard Lahore Qalandars vs Multan Sultans Match
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