PSL 9: Azhar Ali says Shaheen Afridi has been ‘exposed’
Lahore have lost three matches in a row
Former Pakistan captain Azhar Ali has highlighted what’s going wrong with defending champions Lahore Qalandars during the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine.
Lahore have lost three matches in a row and are currently at fifth place on the points table.
While speaking on a local sports channel, Azhar said that Lahore is suffering due to the absence of leg-spinner Rashid Khan and poor captaincy of Shaheen Afridi.
“I think Shaheen Afridi’s captaincy and Lahore’s bowling has been exposed. The absence of Rashid Khan is clearly hurting Lahore since they no longer have the comfort he provided to the other bowlers in the middle overs,” said Azhar.
“When new batter Iftikhar came out to bat, they bowled leg-side to him even when fine leg was up. On the other hand, when they bowled on off-stump, the third man was up in the circle. This shows that there was no coordination between the bowler and captain.
“Shaheen and Haris have not been bowling well. I think, gradually, Lahore will realise how difficult things are when you have limited resources.”
Multan Sultans edged Lahore Qalandars in the seventh match of the PSL season nine at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
Iftikhar Ahmed smacked 24 runs in the 19th over to finish the chase of 167 in 19 overs. The 33-year-old remained not out at 34 off 11 balls.
The chase led by Mohammad Rizwan showcased a mix of brilliance and challenges. Rizwan played an anchoring innings, scoring 82 runs off 59 balls.
Scores in brief:
Multan Sultans beat Lahore Qalandars by five wickets
Lahore Qalandars 166-5, 20 overs (Rassie van der Dussen 54, Fakhar Zaman 41; Mohammad Ali 2-28)
Multan Sultans 170-5, 19 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 82, Iftikhar Ahmed 34 not out; Shaheen Shah Afridi 2-25)
Player of the match – Mohammad Rizwan (Multan Sultans)
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