Multan Sultans in finals after victory over Lahore Qalandars

After defeating Lahore Qalandars in a thrilling qualifier at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore today, Multan Sultans on Wednesday earned a spot in the final of the eighth season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Lahore failed to reach the target of 161 runs, scoring just 76 runs in 14.3 overs. Sheldon Cottrell provoked a massive swipe from the batter, who edged one through to Rizwan, and Lahore lost Mirza Tahir Baig (8) early. Abdullah Shafique (0) was caught by Cottrell in front of the stumps with a strike in the same over. Fakhar Zaman, the Lahore team’s star batter and opener, was clean bowled by Anwar Ali on an inswinger, preventing him from leading the run chase as expected. He made six runs in seven balls.

Shaheen Shah Afridi was also dismissed by Cottrell for a duck in the fifth over of the game. Usman Khan’s direct hit caused Hussain Talat (#4) to fall short of the crease, forcing him to be sent back to the hut. Soon after, Sikandar Raza (0) also left the game as Abbas Afridi made an incredible catch in the deep off Kieron Pollard’s bowling. As a result, Qalandars were in trouble at 43-6 in the tenth over. In a resounding victory over the reigning champions, Multan took all remaining wickets with little resistance. The best bowler was Cottrell, who finished with figures of 3-20 in three overs.