Multan Sultans continued their domination in the ongoing Pakistan Super League 2022 as they defeated Lahore Qalandars by 28 runs in the first Qualifier at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Wednesday to book their place in the final of the tournament.
Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi won the toss and decided to bowl first.
It wasn’t the easiest of pitches as it was assisting the bowlers and Multan Sultans managed a par score of 163 runs despite losing only two wickets. Rizwan continued his rich form as he scored 53 runs but he took 51 balls and thus scored at almost a run-a-ball.
However, Aamer Azmat and Rilee Rossouw added the finishing touches for Multan Sultans. Aamer scored 33 runs off 22 balls while the crucial knock was played by Rilee Rossouw as the left-hander scored 65 runs off just 42 balls.
On the other hand, Lahore Qalandars could only manage 135-9 in their 20 overs as they failed to get going. David Willey scalped two wickets in the three overs he bowled whereas Shahnawaz Dahani was the pick of the bowlers as he snared three wickets and conceded only 19 runs in his quota of four overs.
Mohammad Rizwan said in the post-match presentation, “We were planning to keep wickets in hand, and credit goes to Rossouw and Azmat who did well. I wasn’t able to play as fluidly as I usually do but they did really well. At the break, I felt that 160-170 was a good score, a winning score. The bowlers did really well, especially the spinners first and then Dahani along with Willey did well”.
He added, “(On what changed after the last timeout) Well, we were relaxed in that break and I just told the boys that these are situations from which champion teams rise. And we’re a champion side. Wanted the boys to give it their all, and they did, which helped us win. I do get angry a few times but it goes unnoticed. I thought we summed up the conditions well. With just two down, we could have been disappointed not getting 200 but the conditions were such that 160-plus was a tricky score. The boys accepted that and did their best”.
Multan Sultans have looked apart in the ongoing Pakistan Super League and they will look to go the way to defend their title. They have been coming up with consistent performances and they will aim to continue the good show in the final, which will be played on Sunday.
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