PSL 8: Shaheen's swashbuckling knock reminds fans of Shahid Afridi

Lahore set Multan daunting 201-run target in final

By Web Desk
March 18, 2023
Shahid Afridi (L) and Shaheen Afridi (R) - AFP/PCB

Shaheen Shah Afridi played a match-turning knock for Lahore Qalandars during Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 8's final against Multan Sultans on Saturday in Lahore. 

Lahore were reduced to 112-5 when Shaheen decided to come to batting. Nobody thought that a match-turning cameo was on cards from Shaheen. 

The left-handed batter smashed 44 runs off 15 balls to help Lahore post 200-6 in 20 overs. The projected score was around 160 when Shaheen joined Abdullah Shafique at the crease. 

Shaheen's swashbuckling knock reminded fans of his father-in-law and Pakistan's former hard-hitting batter Shahid Afridi. 

Shaheen and Abdullah scored quick 66 runs in 27 balls to help Lahore set Multan a daunting target of 201 runs. 

Apart from Shaheen, Abdullah also played a sensible knock. He scored 65 runs off 40 balls including eight boundaries and two maximums. 

After a brisk start, where Lahore scored 34 runs in the first three overs, opener Tahir Baig was dismissed by Ihsanullah with a sharp short ball. The right-hander scored 30 runs in 18 balls.

The wicket, coupled with some good bowling, helped Multan stem the flow of runs as Lahore reached 82-1 at the halfway mark.

Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique added 57 runs in 38 balls for the second wicket but, just when they decided to increase the rate of scoring, Multan dismantled the batting side's plans with four quick wickets.

Leg-spinner Usama Mir claimed three wickets in his first two overs, which included the scalps of Zaman (39), Sam Billings (9) and Ahsan Hafeez (0).

Meanwhile, Khushdil Shah cleaned up Sikandar Raza (1) with a ball that skidded through and crashed into the batter's stumps.   

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