Multan Sultans secured a place in the final of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2023 season after defeating the Lahore Qalandars in the Qualifier by a massive margin of 84 runs. Led by Mohammad Rizwan, the Sultans put up a dominant performance, leaving Shaheen Afridi and his team in the dust. The match was completely one-sided as the Sultans thoroughly outplayed the Qalandars.
Winning the toss, the Sultans elected to bat first and got off to a decent start, reaching 70/2 in the first 10 overs. However, it was Kieron Pollard who provided the much-needed momentum to the innings. Pollard’s unbeaten knock of 57 off just 34 deliveries included six sixes and one four. Tim David also made a useful contribution of 22 not out off 15 balls as the Sultans finished their innings at 160/5 in 20 overs.
Pollard was particularly severe on Qalandars’ captain, Shaheen, in the 19th over, hitting him for three sixes and collecting 20 runs in the over. This did not sit well with Afridi, who was captured on camera mouthing some words to Pollard. The Windies superstar, in turn, responded in kind.
Here’s the video:
Peak pic.twitter.com/7xp8GwZG7q
— Rizwan stan. (@rizzyxshaddyy) March 15, 2023
During the Qalandars’ chase, they struggled to put together a partnership as the Sultans’ bowlers ran riot. Sheldon Cottrell was the pick of the bowlers, claiming three wickets for just 20 runs. Usama Mir also chipped in with two wickets while Pollard picked up one wicket, that of Sikandar Raza. The Qalandars were eventually bowled out for just 76 runs in 14.3 overs, giving the Sultans a comprehensive victory.
Overall, it was a commanding performance by the Sultans, who will be confident heading into the final. On the other hand, the Qalandars will need to regroup quickly and put this defeat behind them if they have to qualify for the summit clash.
