Follow UsA clinical all-round performance from defending champions Multan Sultans helps them overcome Lahore Qalandars to book a place in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2022 final. The Mohammad Rizwan-led side overcame Shaheen Afridi's men by 28 runs at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Wednesday (February 23).
Sultans rode on a fiery unbeaten 42-ball 65 by Rilee Rossouw and a steady undefeated 51-ball 53 by skipper Mohammad Rizwan to post 163 for 2 in their 20 overs. The duo put on 113 off just 79 runs for the third wicket to help Sultans to a competitive total.
For Qalandars, opener Fakhar Zaman knocked a 45-ball 63 studded with four sixes and two fours but no other batsman could supplement him as they managed just 135 for 9. After being choked by the spinners for a while, Zaman cut loose lofting Imran Tahir for three consecutive sixes to break the shackles. Zaman, who is the leading run-scorer this season, however, could not take the game deep.
Fast bowler Shahnawaz Dahani was the pick of the bowlers for Multan, finishing with 3 for 19 from his four overs, while England pacer David Willey, who picked up the crucial wicket of Zaman, ended up with figures of 2 for 23 from his three overs.
Sultans had won nine of their ten first-round matches in the six-team league.
Two-time champions Islamabad United face Peshawar Zalmi in the eliminator on Thursday (February 24). The winner of the eliminator will play Qalandars on Friday (February 25) to decide who meets Sultan in Sunday's final.
Karachi Kings and Quetta Gladiators bowed out in the first round.
Brief scores:
Multan Sultans 163 for 2 in 20 overs (Rilee Rossouw65*, Mohammad Rizwan 53*; Mohammad Hafeez 1 for 16) beat Lahore Qalandars 135 for 9 in 20 overs (Fakhar Zaman 63, Kamran Ghulam 20; Shahnawaz Dahani 3 for 19) by 28 runs
Player of the match: Shahnawaz Dahani
(With inputs from AFP)