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Lahore Qalandars Make it to PSL Final with a Victory Over Peshawar Zalmi

John Smith — Sun, 07 May 2023 03:19:54 +0000

The Lahore Qalandars have advanced to the final of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight after beating Peshawar Zalmi by four wickets in the second eliminator at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on March 17, 2023.

The Qalandars were set a target of 172 runs to chase, and they managed to achieve it in 18.5 overs, thanks to a solid team effort. Although the match was not as nail-biting as some previous PSL games, it was still an exciting contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

The Qalandars lost opener Fakhar Zaman early, who was castled by Azmatullah Omarzai while trying to hit a big shot. Ahsan Bhatti, who was playing his first PSL match, also departed soon after, handing a simple catch to wicketkeeper Haseebullah off Wahab Riaz’s bowling. He scored 15 runs off 10 balls.

Abdullah Shafique also fell for 10 runs, thanks to a big mix-up between him and Mirza Tahir Baig. However, Tahir and Sam Billings got the Qalandars back on track with a crucial 50-run partnership in only 28 balls.

Tahir reached his maiden T20 fifty before being dismissed by Aamer Jamal, scoring 54 runs off 42 balls with the help of seven fours and two sixes. Billings was clean bowled by Salman Irshad for 28 runs in 21 balls, while Sikandar Raza scored 22 runs off 13 balls.

Shaheen Afridi hit a six and a four in the 19th over to secure the win for his team.

Earlier, Peshawar Zalmi scored 171-5 in their 20 overs, with opener Saim Ayub losing his wicket early to Zaman Khan. Babar Azam and Mohammad Haris then added 89 runs in 60 balls for the second wicket to put Zalmi in control of the match.

However, Rashid Khan claimed two wickets in the same over to send Babar (42 off 36) and Tom Kohler-Cadmore (0) back to the pavilion. Despite the setback, Haris kept playing shots with ease and went on to score 85 runs in 54 balls, including 11 fours and two sixes.

Shaheen Afridi was expensive with the ball, conceding 41 runs in four overs, but he sent Haris back to the pavilion on the final delivery of his spell. Zaman Khan was the pick of the bowlers for the Qalandars with figures of 2-20 in three overs.

John Smith

John Smith is the lead cricket analyst and writer for CricDen.net. With over 10 years of experience in sports journalism and a Master’s degree in Sports Science, John brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his insightful cricket analyses and match predictions. His passion for cricket and commitment to providing accurate, timely information make him a trusted voice in the cricket community. Follow John and CricDen for the latest cricket updates, expert opinions, and in-depth coverage on Instagram @cricden and Facebook @cricden.

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Another day, Another last over drama as Peshawar beat Karachi by 2 runs

John Smith — Sun, 23 Apr 2023 10:37:41 +0000

Two days.

Two last overs.

Two youngsters.

Both youngsters saving the day for the captain.

This is the story of PSL 8 so far.

It was a bit of a question mark why Shaheen Afridi chose Zaman for the last over yesterday and Babar put the same responsibility on Khurram Shahzad’s shoulders. One can imagine Afridi might still not be hundred percent and Wahab may not be Babar’s preferred choice after the #iftimania attack. Having said that if any of the youngsters had failed, it would have opened up a pandora’s box for the two captains. In the end all went well as both youngsters saved the runs giving their teams the much needed boost.

Zaman yesterday and Khurram Shahzad today not only have saved a match but probably saved the much needed spirit for their respective franchises.

The second match of the PSL 2023 saw a thrilling encounter between Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings. Chasing a massive total of 199/5 set by Zalmi, Kings got off to a great start courtesy of some lusty blows from Matthew Wade, but soon found themselves in a big hole at 46 for 4 just after the Powerplay. However, Imad Wasim and Shoaib Malik took the responsibility and steadied the ship by pacing their innings beautifully. They added 129 runs for the fifth wicket and took the game close, but just fell short by two runs in the end.

It all came down to the last over. With 16 runs needed to win, despite being below-par on the field and dropping crucial chances, Zalmi’s Khurram Shahzad kept his calm and bowled a match-winning over, taking his side over the line by just two runs.

James Neesham was the pick of the bowlers for Zalmi, with two wickets while not giving away many runs, while Wahab Riaz and Salman Irshad also got a couple of wickets each. Zalmi will not be happy with their bowling effort, but will be relieved to start their campaign on a positive note.

Two last over dramas in tow days have showcased PSL’s ability to produce thrilling cricket for the fans. It seems the franchises are also balanced this year and we are in for much more tighter contests. With two thrilling matches already in the bag, the fans will be expecting more such matches to get their money’s worth.

John Smith

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Guptill century help Quetta overpower Karachi in close encounter

John Smith — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 06:41:50 +0000

Martin Guptill powered Quetta Gladiators to their first win of PSL 2023 with a spectacular knock of 117 runs off 67 balls against Karachi Kings at their home ground. After losing four wickets for just 23 runs in the seventh over, Gladiators were in deep trouble. However, Guptill had other plans. He stitched a 69-run partnership with Iftikhar Ahmed and then unleashed an onslaught in the company of Mohammad Nawaz, scoring a blistering 59 runs off just 20 balls.

In response, Kings also had a rocky start, losing three wickets for 35 runs in the powerplay and then 76 for 5 in the 11th over. However, Shoaib Malik and Irfan Khan gave them hope by adding 86 runs for the sixth wicket. But the chase fell apart as the required run-rate shot up and Quetta’s Naseem Shah and Mohammad Hasnain strangled them. Kings needed 24 runs off the last over, but Odean Smith conceded only 17, securing a six-run win for the visitors.

Imad Wasim led the Kings’ attack, taking three crucial wickets in his first nine balls, and Gladiators’ Jason Roy, Abdul Bangalzai, and Umar Akmal fell early. Guptill was tied down by the early losses but found a steady partner in Iftikhar Ahmed, and the duo rotated the strike, keeping the innings afloat. Although Iftikhar’s wicket in the 15th over was a setback, Guptill continued to attack and reached his fifty.

Guptill was dropped on 61 by Sharjeel Khan, and he made the Kings pay for that mistake. In the 19th over, he plundered 30 runs off Andrew Tye with the help of three sixes and as many fours. James Vince gave Kings a brisk start with his 22 runs off 14 balls, but early wickets put them on the back foot. In the 11th over, Hasnain removed Matthew Wade and Imad Wasim, denting the Kings’ chase further. Malik and Irfan fought hard, but it wasn’t enough to avoid defeat.

John Smith

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