Rizwan Shines and Iftikhar Ahmed Heroic Performance | © PCB (PSL)
Multan Sultans continued their stellar performance in the Pakistan Super League, securing a hat-trick of wins by defeating defending champions Lahore Qalandars in an action-packed clash. The match showcased the brilliance of skipper Mohammad Rizwan, whose outstanding knock of 82 runs laid the foundation for Multan’s victory. Lahore Qalandars, on the other hand, faced their third consecutive loss, with their much-anticipated pace attack faltering once again.
The match witnessed a resilient innings from Mohammad Rizwan, who managed to weather the storm after being dropped on 40 by Shaheen Shah Afridi. Rizwan’s impressive knock of 82 runs off 59 balls emerged as the highest individual score of the season. His innings set the stage for an exhilarating finish, with Multan needing 21 runs from the last two overs.
The climax of the game belonged to Iftikhar Ahmed, who emerged as the finishing hero for Multan Sultans. In a breathtaking display of power hitting, Iftikhar smashed 24 runs in the penultimate over, including two sixes and three fours. His unbeaten 34 off 11 balls not only sealed the victory for the Sultans but also dashed Lahore Qalandars’ hopes for their elusive first win of the season.
Lahore Qalandars’ much-vaunted pace attack, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, faced another setback as they failed to defend for the third consecutive game. Haris Rauf struggled, and Zaman Khan proved to be expensive, conceding 52 runs in his spell. Despite the inclusion of left-arm spinner George Linde, who bowled brilliantly in the middle overs, Lahore Qalandars couldn’t contain the Sultans’ late onslaught.
The partnership between Rassie van der Dussen and Fakhar Zaman had initially put Lahore Qalandars in a strong position, contributing 94 runs for the second wicket. Van der Dussen scored his second half-century in three games, adding 54 runs to the scoreboard, while Fakhar Zaman contributed 41. However, Multan Sultans’ bowlers, despite dropping four catches, managed to restrict Qalandars to a total of 166 for 5.
Noteworthy was the performance of fast bowler Mohammad Ali, who played a crucial role for Multan with his swing and variations. Despite Khushdil Shah dropping two catches in this game, Mohammad Ali’s contributions helped in Multan’s success.
With this triumph, Multan Sultans now comfortably lead the table with six points from three consecutive home wins, while Lahore Qalandars are still in search of their first victory in the tournament. The match highlighted the unpredictable and thrilling nature of the Pakistan Super League, providing cricket fans with yet another captivating spectacle.
