PSL 2023, LHQ vs MS: Fakhar Zaman's fifty, razor-sharp bowling brings delight for Lahore Qalandars
Fakhar Zaman [Source: Twitter]
The inaugural match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2023 went down to the wire as Lahore Qalandars edged out Multan Sultans by one run in a cliff-hanger.
Zaman gives blue-ribbon performance
Asked to bat first, Lahore Qalandars were destructive enough to record a half-century in the powerplay as the decision at the toss seemed to have backfired on Multan Sultans.
However, as Mirza Baig's innings was put to rest by Akeal Hosein, runs dried up, calling for Fakhar Zaman's thunderous innings.
With Shai Hope's 17-ball 19 further increasing the run-scoring pressure on Zaman, it led to the latter tonking a few boundaries here and there as his 66 runs at a strike-rate of around 157 set-up the Qalandars for a final push.
After Zaman got dismissed by Usama Mir in the 16th over, Hussain Talat took the baton of an aggressor as his 20-run cameo propelled Lahore to 175/6.
Rizwan falls short of support
If not for Shaheen Shah Afridi's wicket-taking yorker to Mohammad Rizwan, who scored 75 runs, Multan Sultans would have managed to get an easy victory as at one stage they were cruising towards the target.
A 100-run opening stand between Rizwan and Shan Masood went in vain as Lahore's Shaheen, Talat, Haris Rauf and Zaman Khan helped their side make a terrific comeback.
Even after Afridi got rid of Rizwan, the Sultans still had Kieron Pollard to rely on, however, as the West Indian got run-out, Lahore nosed ahead in the game and eventually won it by a run.
Brief scores:
Lahore Qalandars - 175/6 (20)
Fakhar Zaman 66 (42), Mirza Baig 32 (26);
Usama Mir 2-25 (4), Ihsanullah 2-37 (4),
Multan Sultans - 174/6 (20)
Mohammad Rizwan 75 (50), Shan Masood 35 (31);
Hussain Talat 1-16 (2), Shaheen Shah Afridi 1-27 (4)
Lahore Qalandars won by one run.
 "Aayush Mahajan")
