Veteran batter Mohammad Hafeez gave credit to Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah for leading from the front and taking the team to their maiden Pakistan Super League title after they defeated Multan Sultans by 42 runs in the final at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Sunday.
Shaheen Shah Afridi was brilliant for his team in the final as returned with impressive figures of 3-30 in his quota of four overs. Afridi accounted for Tim David, Rumman Raees, and David Willey in his fine spell. Furthermore, Afridi finished as the leading wicket-taker of the tournament as he scalped 20 wickets in 13 matches for Lahore Qalandars and played a key role in the title triumph.
On the other hand, Mohammad Hafeez also delivered in the all-important final and showed his experience. Hafeez scored a fine knock of 69 runs off just 46 balls after Lahore Qalandars got off to a poor start. Furthermore, he scalped two wickets and conceded 23 runs in his four overs. Thus, the veteran was awarded the Player of the Match for his fine show with both bat and ball.
Meanwhile, Harry Brook scored a blistering knock of 41 runs and added 58 runs with Mohammad Hafeez. Moreover, David Wiese smashed 28 runs from eight balls.
Mohammad Hafeez said in the post-match presentation, “I want to thank each and everyone here and thanks to the management for believing in my ability as well. We all know it’s all about absorbing pressure in the final. The good partnership between me and Brook got us back into the game and then Wiese finished it nicely. We have been working hard for the last 7 years and they now get the reward for all the hard work. I am proud of how he (Shaheen Afridi) led the team. He gave us full authority and gave us the freedom to express ourselves, I want to offer him special congratulations”.
David Wiese was also delighted with the win and said that they were able to post a par score. Wiese also took one wicket in his spell.
He said after the game, “I thought the batters before me set it up nicely. When I went out I had Brook at the other end and together we could get to a competitive total. We had beaten Multan before in the tournament and we took confidence from that, but also it is a final and anything can happen and we just came with the mindset to enjoy every moment”.
