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It was action-packed tonight at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore with a thrilling Qualifier that got played out between the top 2 teams of the league stage! Multan Sultans go through to the final on Sunday but there is plenty more cricket to be played in the Pakistan Super League season 7, as up next, is Eliminator 1, where Peshawar Zalmi take on Islamabad United! The winner goes through to meet Lahore Qalandars in Eliminator 2, while the loser finishes their campaign. So there is everything to play for in the next match! All eyes will be on whether Shadab Khan makes it to the eleven for his Islamabad side, that need him in such a crucial match. Till then, allow us - the pair of Dwijesh and Bidipto - to take your leave! Keep following Sportskeeda!
Lahore Qalandars await the winner of Eliminator 1 - to be played between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi - to try and make use of their 2nd chance to go through to the final, by winning Eliminator 2.
MATCH SUMMARY
Multan Sultans, batting first - 163 runs for the loss of 2 wickets in their 20 overs; Rilee Rossouw 65* (42) Lahore Qalandars, batting second - 135 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in their 20 overs; Fakhar Zaman 63 (45)
Multan Sultans beat Lahore Qalandars by 28 runs and reach the final.
Player of the Match: Shahnawaz Dahani [4-0-19-3] and a catch
It was match that Multan won, by way of some hostile fast bowling from their upcoming pacer, Shahnawaz Dahani, as his introduction to the bowling crease after the strategic time-out turned out to be the turning point in the match, as he returned with magnificent figures of 3 for 19 in his four overs, which he bowled on the bounce. Till his introduction, Lahore had the match in their pockets almost, with Fakhar Zaman going great guns, ably supported at the other end by Harry Brook.
The run chase began decently for both sides with spin having a big say, as expected, and Fakhar, getting his eye in. Then there came a time when Lahore were 3 down and searching for ways to get spin away, with Multan firmly in control. Suddenly, Fakhar Zaman cut loose and tore Imran Tahir's 3rd over apart, following it up with another big over off Khushdil Shah, to bring up what looked like a match winning half-century.
But then came the overs of pace, one after another, with Dahani bowling consistently from one end, and David Willey and Rumman Raees bowling the remaining overs from the other end, that took the match completely away from Lahore Qalandars, as wickets fell at regular intervals, giving the hosts no hope of any significant revival.
After Fakhar went, Samit Patel tried to put up some resistance, but he too could not last long, courtesy a fine catch from the player of the match off the bowling of Willey.
With the ball, Shahnawaz Dahani was the pick, followed by Asif Afridi, David Willey and Rumman Raees. Even though their combined 2 overs went for plenty, Imran Tahir and Khushdil Shah were very good too.
In the 1st innings, Mohammad Rizwan batted right through to help Rilee Rossouw score the majority of the runs in their 100-run unbeaten partnership, and ran extremely well between the wickets, even when they were not able to get runs in fours and sixes, to make sure that the scoreboard kept moving. It was the difference in the end, as Multan managed to post a total in excess of 160.
With the ball for Lahore, all the bowlers were good, but the spin bowling overs of Mohammad Hafeez and Samit Patel were crucial in keeping the runs in check and not allowing Multan Sultans to get away with the scoring.
POST-MATCH PRESENTATION
Player of the Match, Shahnawaz Dahani: Wicket was a bit different tonight, our captain went with spin initially and then used me later on by letting me know that I would be required to hit the hard length. There was a bit of reverse going as well.
Lahore Qalandars captain, Shaheen Afridi: Credit first of all to Rizwan and Multan to go through to the final. In the last 4 overs of our bowling innings, we gave away a bit too much for our liking. When you have a player like Fakhar batting the way he is, there will always be a bit of an inclination towards him to help us win, but we are a good team, we will be up for it in the next game.
Multan Sultans captain, Mohammad Rizwan: We wanted to keep wickets in hand, and we did that. But of course, Aamer Azmat and Rilee Rossouw were very impressive with the bat. The strategic time-out in the 2nd innings was a bit of a game-changer, as we used the time to good effect to reload and refresh. Dahani was outstanding though with his bowling and that catch. Yes I was a bit angry at one stage, but I must say that our players were in tune with everything that was to be done out there.
Rilee Rossouw: It wasn't an easy wicket to bat on. Credit to Rizwan, who anchored the innings brilliantly. The crowd was brilliant, a bit unfair for Lahore though. Rizwan speaks with a champion mindset, playing in the present and taking it one ball at a time. We might go have a round of golf in the off-days.
Multan Sultans get the coveted victory in the Qualifier by 28 runs!
20
overs
135/9score
6
0
0
1w
0
0
0
runs
Haris Rauf*
7(7)
Zaman Khan
0(4)
Shahnawaz Dahani
3/19
19.6 Shahnawaz Dahani to Haris Rauf, a slower ball bowled outside off, Rauf has a go at it but misses and that should confirm Multan Sultans as the first finalists of the PSL this season!
19.5 Shahnawaz Dahani to Haris Rauf, a short ball bowled outside off, Rauf attempts another wild hoick to the leg-side but misses
19.4 Shahnawaz Dahani to Haris Rauf, a full ball bowled outside off, Rauf heaves it to long-off but once again denies the single
Video
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Haris Rauf
*
Shahnawaz Dahani
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
