The winner of the 7th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will be decided on Sunday, February 26, when defending champions Multan Sultans lock horns with Shaheen Afridi’s Lahore Qalandars in the summit clash at the Gaddafi Stadium.
Vindicating their status as defending champions, Multan have been the most dominant side of the season. The Rizwan-led unit became the first side to win as many as 9 games in the league-stage and they carried their form into the playoffs to become the first team to qualify for the finals.
They did that at the expense of Lahore Qalandars, who failed to chase down 164. Shan Masood and Mohammad Rizwan have spearheaded the batting-unit at the top of the order. However, Rizwan will look to make amends for the lack of intent he displayed in Qualifier 01. The stumper did score a 50 but he struck the ball at just over 1oo, and it was really Rillie Rossouw, who’s whirlwind 42-ball 65*, which propelled them to an eventual match-winning total of 163.
That they were able to defend such a poultry total was largely due to the duo of Shahnawaz Dahani (3/19 in 4 overs) and David Willey, who claimed 2/23 in 3 overs.
Multan will, however, be wary of Qalandars, who will come into this game on the back of a thrilling six-run win over Islamabad United in Eliminator 02.
David Wiese was the hero for Qalandars in that game as the seam-bowling all-rounder smashed an 8-ball 28* before defending 8 runs in the final over. That said, Qalandars will look for an improved show with the bat in the final. Fakhar Zaman missed out in the last game while the likes of Kamran Ghulam (30 off 26 deliveries), Mohammad Hafeez (28 off 28 deliveries) and Samit Patel (21 off 18 deliveries) showed little intent.
With Rashid Khan unavailable, Shaheen Afridi, Zaman Khan and Haris Rauf will be the key while David Weise, because of his all-round capabilities, will be the one to watch out for.
Lahore remains the only side to beat Multan this season. Can they do it again on Sunday and lift the PSL title?
Match Details - Multan Sultans vs Lahore Qalandars, Final, PSL 2022
Date: 27th February 2022
Time: 08:00 PM IST
Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Broadcast: Sony Six, Sony Six HD, SonyLiV app and website
Pitch Report:
Chasing has proved to be an extremely arduous task for teams’ as the season has progressed. Since this is the final, both sides will look to bat first and apply the squeeze with the ball in the second half.
The average 1st innings score in the last 13 completed night games at the Gaddafi Stadium is 169, with chasing teams winning 5 of them.
Squads:
Multan Sultans:
Mohammad Rizwan (C & WK), Shan Masood Sohaib Maqsood, Rilee Rossouw, Tim David, Khushdil Shah, Anwar Ali, Abbas Afridi, Imran Tahir, Blessing Muzarabani, Shahnawaz Dahani, Asif Afridi, Aamer Azmat, Ihsanullah, Rizwan Hussain, Dominic Drakes, Rovman Powell, Odean Smith, Rumman Raees, Imran Khan, Johnson Charles.
Lahore Qalandars:
Shaheen Shah Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Abdullah Shafique, David Wiese, Haris Rauf, Sohail Akhtar, Zeeshan Ashraf, Ahmed Daniyal, Phil Salt, Harry Brook, Kamran Ghulam, Dean Foxcroft, Zaman Khan, Maaz Khan, Samit Patel, Syed Faridoun
Probable Playing XI:
Multan Sultans:
Shan Masood, Mohammad Rizwan (C/WK), Rilee Rossouw, Johnson Charles, Khushdil Shah, Aamer Azmat, Asif Afridi, Rumman Raees, David Willey, Imran Tahir, Shahnawaz Dahani
Lahore Qalandars:
Fakhar Zaman, Phil Salt (WK), Abdullah Shafique, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hafeez, Harry Brook, David Wiese, Samit Patel, Shaheen Afridi (C), Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan.
CE Fantasy XI:
Fakhar Zaman ©, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Shan Masood, Rilee Rossouw, Abdullah Shafique, David Wiese, David Willey, Rumman Raees, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Shahnawaz Dahani
Captain: Fakhar Zaman
Vice-captain: Shan Masood