Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi was delighted after the team registered a thrilling one-run win against Multan Sultans in the opening game of the ongoing Pakistan Super League 2023 at the Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan on Monday.

Afridi, who was making a comeback to professional cricket after the T20 World Cup final, gave credit to Fakhar Zaman. The left-handed batter scored a fine knock of 66 runs from 42 balls to help his team post a competitive score of 175 runs on the board after Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and decided to bowl first.

In the run-chase, Multan Sultans were cruising to the target of 176 as they were 147-2 after 18 overs. However, the home team lost four wickets for only 19 runs and could not get over the line. Multan Sultans had experienced batters like David Miller and Kieron Pollard in the middle order but they couldn’t get their team through.

Shaheen Shah Afridi said in the post-match presentation, “Got off to a good start. We have many options with the ball – 8 or 9 options. Credit to Zaman for the way he finished it off. The message to the team was that one wicket would bring us back. We didn’t field well. Will try to get better.”

Fakhar Zaman was awarded Player of the Match for his fine knock for Lahore Qalandars while batting at the top of the order.

He said after the game, “Pitch wasn’t like we initially expected. We thought it would come on nicely, but it was helping pacers a bit. We left a few runs out there, but with our bowling 175 is good.”

On the other hand, Mohammad Rizwan scored a brilliant knock of 75 runs off 50 balls but his efforts went in vain. Rizwan admitted they were going strong in the run-chase but feels the opposition’s bowling took the game away.

Rizwan said after a close loss, “The way we were going it looked like we would get there easily. But their bowling did exactly what it’s known for. It’s cricket, it happens.”

Lahore Qalandars will face Karachi Kings on Sunday whereas Multan Sultans will take on Quetta Gladiators on Wednesday.