Lahore Qalandars win PSL 2023 in thrilling final against Multan Sultans

Psl 2023 Lahore Qalandars defeated Multan Sultans by one run in a nail-biting Pakistan Super League final, becoming the first side to successfully defend their championship and taking the trophy home on Saturday at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

The Sultans Psl 2023 came very close to meeting their challenging 201 run objective, but ultimately fell short by one run.

The Qalandars became the first Psl 2023 champion to successfully defend their crown.

After dismissing Usman Khan, the opener, in the fourth over of the game, David Wiese made the crucial breakthrough during the run chase. In 12 balls, the right-hander scored 18 runs.

Despite the early defeat, Rilee Rossouw and Mohammad Rizwan put up a remarkable partnership of 64 runs in 42 balls to ensure that the Multans maintained the requisite run rate.

Rashid Khan, however, struck out Rossouw just as the batter was about to threaten to win the game for the Qalandars. In 32 balls, the South African scored 52 runs. 

In his last over, Rashid struck once again as Rizwan, 34 off 23, died attempting to clear the long-on boundary. David Wiese had to do some outstanding fielding in order to successfully make the catch. He first collected the ball, maintained his balance, and then flipped it back into the air as he crossed the rope.

Shaheen returned in his second stint to get the wicket of the dangerous Kieron Pollard after giving up 34 runs in his first two overs. In 16 balls, the Windies all-rounder scored 19 runs.

Shaheen took three wickets in his last over as well, giving his team a good chance to win the game.

To guarantee a dramatic conclusion to the game, Haris Rauf gave up 22 runs in the last over.

However, Zaman Khan maintained his composure to lead his side to victory in the game’s decisive over.

The Qalandars had earlier amassed 200-6 in their allocated 20 overs.

The Qalandars got off to a quick start, scoring 34 runs in the opening three overs, but opener Tahir Baig was eventually out by Ihsanullah with a precise short ball. In 18 balls, the right-hander scored 30 runs.

As Lahore reached 82-1 at the midway point, the wicket and some solid bowling enabled the Sultans to stop the flow of runs.

When Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique sought to speed up their scoring, Multan destroyed their plans with four quick wickets, scoring 57 runs in 38 balls for the second wicket.

Usama Mir, a leg-spinner, took three wickets in his first two overs, including Zaman (39), Sam Billings (9), and Ahsan Hafeez. (0).

Sikandar Raza (1) was dismissed by Khushdil Shah in the meanwhile with a ball that slid past the infield and slammed into the batter’s stumps.

Lahore was having trouble, but skipper Shaheen entered the field and attacked the Multan bowlers with some spectacular shot-making. On 44 runs in 15 balls, which included two fours and five maximums, he was still undefeated.

Sikandar Raza (1) was dismissed by Khushdil Shah in the meanwhile with a ball that slid past the infield and slammed into the batter’s stumps.

As the Qalandars Psl 2023 were having trouble, skipper Shaheen entered the field and attacked the Multan bowlers with some spectacular shot-making. On 44 runs in 15 balls, which included two fours and five maximums, he was still undefeated.

Shafique too picked up the pace towards the conclusion of his innings and finished with 65 runs in 40 balls. Eight fours and two sixes were struck by him.

Usama Mir, who had figures of 3-24 in three overs, was the Sultans’ preferred bowler.

The Sultans’ Psl 2023 victory against the Qalandars in the qualifier secured their place in the championship game. Lahore, however, defeated Peshawar Zalmi to get to the final game.

Playing 11

Usman Khan, Mohammad Rizwan (wk/c), Rilee Rossouw, Tim David, Kieron Pollard, Khushdil Shah, Anwar Ali, Usama Mir, Abbas Afridi, Sheldon Cottrell, and Ihsanullah are the Multan Sultans Psl 2023.

Mirza Tahir Baig, Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Sam Billings (wk), Ahsan Bhatti, Sikandar Raza, David Wiese, Rashid Khan, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, and Zaman Khan are the members of the Lahore Qalandars Psl 2023.