PSL 2022 | Qualifier: Shahnawaz Dahani anchors Multan Sultans to another final

Multan Sultans rode on an exceptional bowling performance from Shahanawaz Dahani in the later stage of the Qualifier match against Lahore Qalandars in PSL 2022 to register a place in the final for the second time on the trot. The right-arm pacer scalped three wickets for 19 runs in 4 overs to rattle Lahore’s middle order during the course. 

Qalandars who were chasing 164 in 20 overs were pushed on the back foot after they lost three wickets for 48 runs in the ninth over before in-form Fakhar Zaman unveiled some exciting power-hitting especially in one of Imran Tahir’s over where he smashed the spinner for three consecutive maximums. 

Fakhar along with Harry Brook provided the resistance with a partnership of 54 runs for the fourth wicket before Dahani got into the act and trapped Brook in front of the stumps for 13 off 12. Brook’s departure certainly broke the shackles as the Lahore team began to lose wickets at regular succession and were reduced to 128/9 before concluding the innings at 135/9 in 20 overs. 

Apart from Dahani, Rumman Raees returned with figures of 1/15 in three overs while David Willey, Asif Afridi and Khushdil Shah also picked up a wicket apiece. Fakhar top-scored for his side with 63 off 45 which included four maximums and two fours. 

Earlier, in the day, Multan Sultans also faced some struggle in scoring runs. They lost an early wicket in the form of Shan Masood who was removed by Hafeez for 2 off 5 but Rizwan who opened the innings was joined by Aamer Azmat and the two batters steadied the ship for the side and put up 47 runs for the second wicket. 

Azmat eventually departed for 33 off 22. Rizwan was then joined by Rilee Rossouw and the batsmen put up an unbeaten partnership of 113 runs for the third wicket. While the skipper remained unbeaten at 53 off 51, Rossouw was not out for 65 in 42 deliveries. Hafeez was the pick of the bowlers as he picked up one wicket for 16 runs in 4 overs. 

“We were planning to keep wickets in hand, and credit goes to Rossouw and Azmat who did well. I wasn't able to play as fluidly as I usually do but they did really well. At the break, I felt that 160-170 was a good score, a winning score. The bowlers did really well, especially the spinners first and then Dahani along with Willey did well,” Rizwan said after the match. 

Lahore Qalandars still have a chance to get through to the final as they will now play either Peshawar Zalmi or Islamabad United in the second Eliminator and the winner of that game will lock horns with Multan in the title clash.