Hafeez inspires Lahore Qalandars to maiden PSL triumph
Mohammad Hafeez starred as Lahore Qalanadars clinched the maiden HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) title.
The home-side successfully defended 180 against the defending champions Multan Sultans courtesy of an all-round performance from the veteran all-rounder.
Hafeez struck 69 with the bat and claimed two wickets bowling an economical spell.
Chasing the target, Multan went off to a decent start, but the tables were turned against them when Hafeez came to bowl his second over.
He bowled Multan captain Mohammad Rizwan, who scored 14. Fakhar Zaman, who failed to do any damage with the bat, made the major difference with a superb fielding effort, which resulted in Shan Masood’s (14) wicket.
Rilee Rossouw tried to control things, but he was sent back to the dugout after scoring 15 thanks to a brilliant catch from Abdullah Shafique.
Tim David and Khushdil Shah tried to take on the Qalandars bowling attack, but it was too late. David departed after scoring 27 off 17 balls.
Meanwhile, Khushdil scored 32 off 23 balls as Multan were bowled out for 138 in 19.3 overs.
Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed three wickets while Zaman Khan and Haris Rauf shared two wickets each for the new PSL champions.
Earlier, late cameos from David Wiese and Harry Brook powered Lahore Qalandars to a competitive total of 180 runs after opting to bat.
Mohammad Hafeez anchored the innings with a brilliant half-century after Lahore lost the top order cheaply. The veteran all-rounder scored 69 off 46 balls, with the help of nine boundaries and a six.
He was well supported by Kamran Ghulam, who scored 15.
However, it was Brook and Wiese, who provided a boost to the innings with brilliant cameos of 41 off 22 and 28 off 8 respectively.
Both batters remained unbeaten and stuck combined three boundaries and six maximums.
This was also the first time in PSL history that Lahore scored 77 runs from the last five overs.
Asif Afridi was the star of the show with the bowl as he claimed figures of three for 19 from his four-over spell.
David Willey and Shahnawaz Dahani shared a wicket each for Multan.
Updates
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MS 138 (19.3 overs)
OUT!
This is the moment that they have waited for the last six years. David Wiese removed Imran Tahir clinch the title.
OUT!
Shaheen Shah Afridi picked up his third wicket of the night. They are a wicket away from victory.
OUT!
Haris Rauf strikes for Sultans. He removes Khushdil Shah (32).
The home crowd is ecstatic as Shaheen claims two wickets in the same over!
— Samaa Sports (@samaasport) February 27, 2022
Sultans need 60 runs in 18 balls with 3 wickets in hand. #PSLFinal pic.twitter.com/cASou3gQV4
OUT!
Shaheen Afridi strikes on his first ball back!
Big man Tim David is walking back to the dugout. Is this the last nail in the coffin?
Another wicket. Shaheen with a perfect yorker removes David Willey.
15 runs from Haris Rauf's over. Multan need a couple more overs like this.
What a spell from Zaman Khan. Just five runs came from the over.
Decent over for Multan, as they scored 15 runs from David Wiese's first.
Another superb over from Zaman Khan, he conceded just five runs.
You cannot ask for a better over. Take a bow Haris Rauf, as he just conceded just two runs.
OUT!
Huge wicket as Railee Rossouw is walking back to the dugout thanks to a brilliant catch in the deep from Abdullah Shafique.
Zaman Khan picks up his second wicket of the night.
Samit Patel kept it tight for Multan batters, as he conceded just three runs. Run-rate is now over 12.
Just five runs from Mohammad Hafeez's final over of the night. What a game he is having.
After an impressive fifty, Mohammad Hafeez claims two wickets with the ball as well ?
— Samaa Sports (@samaasport) February 27, 2022
Sultans need 126 runs in 66 balls with 6 wickets in hand. #PSLFinal pic.twitter.com/NPnE5DAhls
OUT!
Zaman Khan joins the part as he removes Asif Afridi, who was sent up in the order.
OUT!
Mohammad Hafeez strikes for Lahore as he removed young Aamer Azmat.
Just two runs came from the over.
This is the end of powerplay.
MS 45-2 (6 overs)
OUT!
Fakhar Zaman hits the bulls eye to end Shan Masood's PSL campaign. Couldn't have asked for a better start.
OUT!
Mohammad Hafeez removes Multan captain Mohammad Rizwan out from the equation!
The wicketkeeper takes the long walk back to the dugout after scoring 14. Game on!
16 runs from Shaheen's over as Mohammad Rizwan takes charge of the proceedings.
Nine runs from Mohammad Hafeez's first over. Decent start from Multan Sultans openers.
Good stuff from Lahore captain Shaheen Shah Afridi. He conceded just four runs in the over.
LQ 180-5 (20 overs)
28 runs in 8 balls for David Wiese!
— Samaa Sports (@samaasport) February 27, 2022
Speechless. #PSLFinal pic.twitter.com/dvxPb4uw4B
Excellent finish from Harry Brook and David Wiese, as Lahore scored 77 runs from the last five overs of the innings.
22 runs from David Willey's second last over of the innings.
OUT!
Shahnawaz Dahani strikes for Multan, as he removes Mohammad Hafeez, who walked back to pavilion after scoring a brilliant 69 off 46 balls.
Seven runs came from the over.
Big over for Lahore Qalandars as 20 runs came from Rumman's second over.
The got the much-needed momentum in the death overs.
10 runs from David Willey's over.
Tahir conceded nine runs in his last over.
Superb innings from the Veteran all-rounder.
Hafeez comes to Lahore's rescue!
— Samaa Sports (@samaasport) February 27, 2022
Follow live updates here: https://t.co/UPkbqWUfji#PSLFinal pic.twitter.com/jqLTP7RPWB
10 runs came from Khushdil Shah's third over.
Another superb over from the veteran leg-spinner, as he conceded just four runs. This was his third over of the night.
What a spell!
Sensational spell of bowling by Asif Afridi!
— Samaa Sports (@samaasport) February 27, 2022
LQ are 80/4 after 12 overs.#PSLFinal pic.twitter.com/6XzxPqCBaV
OUT!
What a night Asif Afridi is having as he picked up his third wicket of the night. This time it is Kamran Ghulam, who is walking back after scoring 15.
Tahir bowled an excellent over, where he conceded just five runs.
10 runs came from Dahani's first over.
Interesting change, Shahnawaz Dahani has replaced Imran Tahir, who bowled just a single over spell.
Mohammad Hafeez has the better of Khushdil, who conceded 13 runs from his second over of the game.
Spin from both ends!
Imran Tahir has replaced Rumman.
Excellent stuff from the South Africa leg-spinner as he conceded just four runs.
Just after the powerplay Khushdil Shah is introduced into the attack.
Two runs came from his first over.
At the end powerplay LQ 41-3 (6 overs)
Positive signs from Mohammad Hafeez as he finished the powerplay in style for Lahore after early blows from Multan.
15 runs came from Rumman Raees's first over.
OUT!
Another huge wicket for Multan, this time Asif Afridi removed Abdullah Shafique, who came down the pitch to play a big short but was deceived and stumped off a wide away-spinner .
Right hander scored 14.
OUT!
David Willey strikes from Multan Sultans as he removed Zeeshan Ashraf, who is walking back after scoring seven.
Kamran Ghulam dropped at point!
Despite that an excellent over from the England pacer, where he conceded just four runs.
Atmosphere looks amazing at the Gadaffi Staduim....should be an amazing game...@thePSLt20
— Mickey Arthur (@Mickeyarthurcr1) February 27, 2022
Also cmon ?? in Dharmasala,some poor shots early!
OUT!
What a catch from Shahanawaz Dahani at the boundary. Big wicket for Multan as Fakhar Zaman departs after scoring just three.
Superb stuff from Asif Afridi.
Nine runs came of the over.
Seven runs came from David Willey's first over.
Asif Afridi to open the proceeding for Multan Sultans with Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique came out to bat for Lahore Qalandars.
Huge roar from the crowd as the home-side are off the mark on the first delivery.
Just five runs came from the first over.
Head-to-head
As far as head-to-head comparison is concerned, both teams met 12 times in the tournament, where Multan have the clear advantage with seven wins against Lahore’s five.
Playing XIs for the final!
Both teams have made one change as Zeeshan Ashraf is in for Lahore in place of Zeeshan Ashraf. while Tim David returns for Multan. He replaces Johnson Charles.
Zeeshan Ashraf replaces Phil Salt and Tim David comes in for Johnson Charles ?#PSLFinal https://t.co/CWwF6sqzyg
— Samaa Sports (@samaasport) February 27, 2022
TOSS
Rizwan flips the coin and Shaheen Shah Afridi has won the toss and Lahore Qalandars are batting first.
?? HBL PSL Final Predictions ??
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 27, 2022
Our commentators make their predictions for tonight’s game. #HBLPSL7 l #LevelHai l #MSvLQ pic.twitter.com/DqI51By7C1
Then there was 1 to go… #PSL7
— Rilee Rossouw (@Rileerr) February 27, 2022
Rashid Khan’s message for Lahore Qalandars
Rashid Khan, who was part of the Lahore Qalandars squad for good part of the tournament, said that franchise needs to the basics right to win the final against Multan Sultans.
"My message to Lahore players is to enjoy the match and do the basics right," said Rashid while speaking in the Game Set Match. "I love this team. I have promised the Qalandars that I will play PSL only for Lahore and no other franchise."
Commenting on second Eliminator against Islamabad he said that Lahore showed great passion and determination win the game.
“It seemed as if Islamabad will win the match easily but Lahore showed great passion and determination to win the match. Along with the support from the crowd, I'm hopeful that we will win the final as well."
Let’s rock ‘n roll.. ?? #HBLPSL2022 @lahoreqalandars vs @MultanSultans ? pic.twitter.com/gcpWGBJgQM
— Danny Morrison (@SteelyDan66) February 27, 2022
Shahid Afridi’s prediction for PSL7 final
Veteran all-rounder Shahid Afridi believes that Lahore can surprise Multan in the final.
"We celebrate Surprise Day today so Lahore can surprise us as well," said Afridi in the Game Set Match. “Team with strong character will win today's match."
Commenting on Rashid Khan he said that Afghanistan leg-spinner has set great example for players.
"Rashid Khan has set a great example for players who have been involved in controversies over league cricket by preferring national duty over PSL."
Cricket
LAHORE QALANDARS
Multan Sultans
MS v LQ
