A Sensational Cricket Match

or The Final Match of PSL-8

Lahore Qalandars became the first team to defend HBL Pakistan
Super League title as they defeated Multan Sultans by only one run in a
thrilling HBL PSL 8 final at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday. The victory was
engineered by their captain Shaheen Afridi’s blasting 15-ball 44 not out and an
incredible spell of death bowling that saw him return overall figures of four
for 51.

Multan Sultans needed 13 runs in the final over, bowled by
Lahore Qalandars’ last over specialist Zaman Khan. The equation had come down
to four off the last ball, and Multan Sultans could get only two of a 
Khushdil Shah mishit before he was run out at the non-striker’s end.

The match had swung like a pendulum in the last five overs as
Multan Sultans needed 60 with seven wickets in hand. Shaheen removed Kieron
Pollard with a cutter after being whipped for a four in the 16^th over
that cost 11.

Haris Rauf allowed only eight in the next over. Shaheen returned
to deliver one of the best overs in death as he picked up three wickets and
gave away only six runs to further complicate the matters for Multan Sultans.
Shaheen’s first two overs, bowled in the Powerplay, had leaked 34 runs, but the
left-arm pacer made his experience count at death and took four wickets for 17
runs in his final two overs.

Khushdil Shah and Abbas Afridi, however, punched their way back
in the match in the penultimate over by spanking Haris for 22. The over began
with Khushdil dispatching the fast bowler for a six over his head and two balls
later Abbas smoked him for a maximum over deep midwicket and followed it up
with back-to-back fours.

In
the final, Lahore Qalandars defeated Multan Sultans with
a minor margin of 1 run to
win their consecutive 2nd title of the tournament.

Lahore Qalandars became the first team to win back-to-back PSL
titles on Saturday, beating Multan Sultans by one run in a thrilling final.

 

Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi took 4-51 after smashing a rapid 44
not out but had to effect a run out at the bowler’s end as Multan’s Khushdil
Shah tried to make a third run to force a super over.

 

Qalandars had scored 200-6 in their 20 overs before a packed
25,000 Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and Sultans finished on 199-8.

 

Qalandars had also defeated Sultans in last year’s final.

 

Meanwhile, former captain Shahid Afridi also congratulated Lahore
Qalandars on the “nail-biting” victory.

Click Here to Watch Full A sensational Cricket Match