Defending champions Multan Sultans booked a place in the final of the HBL Pakistan Super League 2022 when they defeated Lahore Qalandars by 28 runs in front of a full and enthusiastic Gaddafi Stadium crowd on Wednesday.
Multan Sultans, put into bat, saw Rilee Rossouw and Mohammad Rizwan lead the charge with unbeaten half-centuries. They reached 163 for two in 20 overs, a strong recovery from their position of 65 for two at the halfway stage. Lahore Qalandars seemed to be in control at 102 for three in the 14th over before experiencing a collapse, eventually ending their innings at 135 for nine.
Sultans secured their spot in Sunday’s final, while Lahore Qalandars have a chance to reach their second title match in three years by playing against the winner of the Peshawar Zalmi-Islamabad United match on Friday.
Rossouw’s innings featured seven fours and a six, ending with an unbeaten 65 off 42 balls. Meanwhile, Rizwan contributed 53 not out off 51 balls, including three fours. Their partnership of 47 runs with Aamer Azmat for the second wicket and an unbeaten 113 runs for the third wicket laid the foundation for Multan Sultans’ total of 163 for two.
Mohammad Hafeez and Samit Patel each claimed a wicket for Lahore Qalandars.
Following Harry Brook’s departure for 13, Lahore Qalandars stumbled, losing six wickets for 33 runs in just over six overs, ending their innings at 135 for nine.
Fakhar Zaman played an entertaining innings, scoring 63 runs off 45 balls with two fours and four sixes, including three consecutive sixes off Imran Tahir. He combined with Harry Brook to add 54 runs for the fourth wicket.
Shahnawaz Dahani shone brightly for Multan Sultans with the ball, claiming the important wickets of Brook (13), Phil Salt (1), and Shaheen Shah Afridi (1), ultimately finishing with figures of 3 for 19.
David Willey impressed with figures of 2 for 23, while Asif Afridi and Khushdil Shah each contributed with a wicket to their name.
Scores in brief:
Multan Sultans 163-2, 20 overs (Rilee Rossouw 65 not out, Mohammad Rizwan 53 not out, Aamer Azmat 33)
Lahore Qalandars 135-9, 20 overs (Fakhar Zaman 63, Kamran Ghulam 20; Shahnawaz Dahani 3-19, David Willey 2-23)
