efending champions Lahore Qalandars have handed Multan Sultans a target of 201 runs in the final battle of the ongoing eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Earlier, Qalandars won the toss and elected to bat.
After a brisk start, where Lahore scored 34 runs in the first three overs, opener Tahir Baig was dismissed by Ihsanullah with a sharp short ball. The right-hander scored 30 runs in 18 balls.
The wicket, coupled with some good bowling, helped Multan stem the flow of runs as Lahore reached 82-1 at the halfway mark.
Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique added 57 runs in 38 balls for the second wicket but, just when they decided to increase the rate of scoring, Multan dismantled the batting side’s plans with four quick wickets.
Leg-spinner Usama Mir claimed three wickets in his first two overs, which included the scalps of Zaman (39), Sam Billings (9) and Ahsan Hafeez (0).
Meanwhile, Khushdil Shah cleaned up Sikandar Raza (1) with a ball that skidded through and crashed into the batter’s stumps.
With Lahore struggling, captain Shaheen stepped out on the field and took the attack to Multan bowlers with some sensational shot-making. He remained unbeaten on 44 runs in 15 balls, which included two fours and five maximums.
Shafique also accelerated towards the backend of the innings and ended up scoring 65 runs in 40 balls. He smacked eight fours and two sixes.
Usama Mir was the pick of the bowlers for Multan with figures of 3-24 in three overs.
Lahore is aiming to become the first team to win back-to-back PSL titles, whereas Multan will be looking to clinch their second title.
