Qalandars’ captain Shaheen Shah Afridi displayed a remarkable performance with the bat, scoring 22 runs in the final over bowled by Mohammad Umar. This included three sixes and one four, resulting in a tie in the last group stage match of HBL Pakistan Super League 7 against Peshawar Zalmi at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Monday night.
Despite the thrilling final over performance by Shaheen Shah Afridi, Qalandars couldn’t secure the win in the Super Over. Zalmi easily chased down the six-run target, with Shoaib Malik hitting boundaries off the first two balls bowled by Shaheen.
Wahab Riaz bowled a superb Super Over, conceding only five runs against Fakhar Zaman and Harry Brook, setting up an achievable target for his team’s batters in the one-over chase.
In the thrilling final over, Shaheen Afridi’s consecutive big hits, including a boundary, left Qalandars needing seven runs off the last ball. With two dot balls earlier, the pressure was intense. However, Shaheen Afridi delivered, smashing the ball for a massive six over mid-wicket, sparking jubilation among the packed crowd at GSL.
Qalandars, despite the loss, secured the second position in the standings behind defending champions Multan Sultans, with 12 points from 10 games. Zalmi also finished with 12 points but a lower net run-rate placed them third.
Qalandars have achieved their highest-ever finish in an HBL PSL group stage, giving them the advantage of an additional game in the playoffs. They start their playoff journey with an exciting Qualifiers match against the Sultans on Wednesday.
On Sunday night, Qalandars floundered in their 159-run chase before Shaheen’s heroics. Malik, the experienced all-rounder for Zalmi, dismissed Fakhar, who is the leading run-getter of the current season, with his very first delivery, sending him back to the pavilion without scoring a run.
Phil Salt and Kamran Ghulam put on 37 runs for the second wicket, with Salt contributing 14 and Ghulam 25. However, their partnership was short-lived as both batsmen got out quickly, leaving Qalandars struggling at 51 for three in less than six overs. Harry Brook, who scored a century in the previous match, was dismissed for just two runs.
Mohammad Hafeez, the experienced campaigner for the Qalandars, showed resilience with a knock of 49 runs off 44 deliveries, including three fours and one six. However, Qalandars’ chances took a hit when Hafeez was dismissed by Wahab Riaz on the first ball of the penultimate over, seemingly putting the match out of their reach.
Other performers
Zalmi posted a total of 158 for seven after batting first in their allotted 20 overs. They had a slow start, losing the wickets of their in-form opener Mohammad Haris (6) and Hazratullah Zazai (20) within 5.1 overs. Kamran Akmal who returned to the side fell for 18.
Malik continued his good run with a 32-run contribution (28 balls, one four, one six). Malik has now taken his runs tally in the HBL PSL 7 to 346 in 10 innings at 43.25, he is fourth in the tournament’s batting charts.
Malik and Haider Ali (25 off 22, two fours, one six) steadied the innings with a 60-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Khalid Usman, making his first appearance of the season, contributed an unbeaten 19 off 11 to help Zalmi reach a competitive total.
Leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed, brought into the Qalandars squad as a replacement for Rashid Khan (unavailable due to international commitments), claimed two wickets for 26 runs in his four overs.
Player of the match Wahab Riaz: “There was pressure on me in the Super Over, I am happy that I was able to deliver for the team. Hats off to Shaheen that he scored those runs in the final over, Umar is a youngster and a bit inexperienced and took some pressure but he will learn from this. Mohammad Haris has made a real difference to the side with the gloves, bat or fielding. In Super Over we needed a batter who could get us singles and Shoaib Malik and Haris were the best combination with the bat for us in the situation.”
Scores in brief:
Peshawar Zalmi 158 for 7, 20 overs (Shoaib Malik 32, Haider Ali 25; Fawad Ahmed 2-26)
Lahore Qalandars 158 for 8, 20 overs (Mohammad Hafeez 49, Shaheen Shah Afridi 39 not out; Wahab Riaz 2-19, Arshad Iqbal 2-30)
