Multan Sultans fast bowler Shahnawaz Dahani has revealed that the plan was to hit the hard length as it was not easy to hit from there in the Qualifier against Lahore Qalandars at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Wednesday.
Multan Sultans posted a fighting score of 163 runs after Shaheen Shah Afridi won the toss and decided to bowl first.
Mohammad Rizwan scored a gutsy knock of 53 runs off 51 balls to give a solid start to his team. Subsequently, Aamer Azmat scored 33 runs off 22 balls whereas Rilee Rossouw played a fine knock of 65 runs off just 42 balls.
On the other hand, Lahore Qalandars could not get going in their run-chase as Multan Sultans bowlers were right on the money. Fakhar Zaman scored 65 runs for the Qalandars but none of the other batters could get going.
David Willey scalped two wickets in the three overs he bowled. Furthermore, Dahani was the pick of the bowlers for the defending champions as he snared three wickets and conceded 19 runs in his quota of four overs. Dahani accounted for Phillip Salt, Harry Brook, and Shaheen Shah Afridi to push the opposition on the backfoot.
Dahani was awarded the Player of the match for his performance and he was delighted with his performance, which helped his team reach the final.
Shahnawaz Dahani said in the post-match presentation, “Really glad to reach the final. The pitch was playing differently today, so the captain was confident of it (the total) being defended. He used the spinners early and knew that the pacers could get some reverse later on. There was good reverse on offer and it wasn’t coming onto the bat properly. Plan was to hit the hard length as it wasn’t easy to hit from there”.
Meanwhile, Dahani has been in fine form in the ongoing Pakistan Super League as he has scalped 16 wickets in 10 matches and he has played a key role in the success of Multan Sultans. The final of PSL 2022 will be played on Sunday and Sultans will aim to defend their title.
