PSL 2023: Lahore Qalandars become first team to qualify for playoffs

Lahore Qalandars became the first team to qualify for the playoffs of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) on Saturday after defeating Multan Sultans by 21 runs. 

While chasing the 181-run target, Sultans got off to a decent start with Mohammad Rizwan and Shan Masood getting through the powerplay unscathed while also scoring 44 runs in the process. 

However, Masood fell in the seventh over of the innings after a brilliant catch by Shaheen Afridi on the bowling of Zaman Khan. The left-hander scored 19 runs in 20 balls.

Sikandar Raza bagged the prized scalp of Mohammad Rizwan, who scored 30 runs in 27 balls, after a successful review. The on-field umpire turned down the LBW appeal but replay showed three reds.  

In a surprising call, Usama Mir was promoted up the order to score some quick runs but the experiment only yielded 17 runs in 11 balls. Mir, who came in to bat at number three, was cleaned up by Rashid Khan. The Afghanistan leg-spinner also dismissed David Miller (1), after another successful review by the Qalandars, in the same over. 

Rashid Khan, who finished with figures of 3-15 in four overs, also sent Rilee Rossouw back to the hut. 

Kieron Pollard scored 39 runs in 28 balls but that was not enough to get Multan over the line.  

Zaman Khan, Haris Rauf, Sikandar Raza and Hussain Talat claimed one wicket each. 

Multan were restricted to 159-7 in 20 overs.

Earlier, Lahore Qalandars had set a target of 181 runs after winning the toss and deciding to bat first against Multan Sultans at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. 

Lahore finished on 180-9 in their allotted 20 overs. 

The batting side suffered a big blow in the first over when in-form opener Fakhar Zaman (0) was caught at third man while trying to clear the fence.

Meanwhile, Ihsanullah dismissed Mirza Tahir Baig in the fifth over of the innings after a 50-run stand between the latter and Abdullah Shafique. The right-hander scored 17 runs in 11 balls.  

After losing Baig, Shafique stitched another healthy partnership with Sam Billings. However, the 69-run stand was broken when Shafique, 48 runs in 35 balls, was caught and bowled by Kieron Pollard. 

Billings, who looked set for a big one, was caught in front of the stumps after misjudging a delivery by Pollard. The English batter scored 54 runs in 35 balls with the help of six fours and two sixes. 

Sikandar Raza scored 14 runs, meanwhile David Wiese remained unbeaten on 15 runs. 

Lahore could not get the finish they wanted at the backend of the innings after losing five wickets and scoring only 38 runs in the last five overs.  

For Multan, Pollard, Ihsanullah, Abbas Afridi and Anwar Ali claimed two wickets each. 

In their previous clash in PSL 8, Lahore defeated Multan by one run after a thrilling encounter. 

Teams:

Multan Sultans (Playing XI): Mohammad Rizwan(w/c), Shan Masood, Rilee Rossouw, David Miller, Kieron Pollard, Khushdil Shah, Anwar Ali, Usama Mir, Abbas Afridi, Sameen Gul, Ihsanullah

Lahore Qalandars (Playing XI): 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

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