Fakhar, bowlers star as Qalandars end Sultans’ unbeaten run in PSL 7

LAHORE: Fakhar Zaman starred with the bat before Lahore Qalandars’ bowlers wreaked havoc over Multan Sultans’ batters to end the latter’s unbeaten run in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 7.

In the 17th match of the PSL 7, the Qalandars pulled off a convincing 52-runs victory over the Sultans; handing them their first defeat of the mega event.

Set to chase 183, the Sultans’ openers failed to go deep as their top-scorer – Shan Masood walked back early in the third over. The left-handed batter could only score eight off seven deliveries.

The skipper – Mohammad Rizwan, alongside Sohaib Maqsood, then looked to anchor the innings. The pair appeared determined before Rashid Khan castled Rizwan for 20.

Soon after, the table-toppers kept losing wickets at a consistent rate as their batters kept walking back to the pavilion after scoring cheaply. Khushdil Shah and Tim David, however, looked to fight back but they too could not manage to pull the side out of trouble and the Sultans, in the end, were bowled out for 130 in the allotted 20 overs.

Khushdil scored 22, while David scored a quickfire 24 off just 12 balls, laced with three boundaries and a six.

For the Qalandars, Zaman Khan starred; taking three wickets, while Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Rashid picked two wickets each.

Despite having an unwanted start – losing their first wicket for a mere five runs in the first over. The side managed to post a commendable 182-4 in the first innings.

The top-scorer of the ongoing PSL 7 – Fakhar anchored the innings alongside Kamran Ghulam; putting on a brilliant 86-runs partnership for the second wicket.

The pair appeared solid but, Kamran perished in the 12th over as he miscued one of Abbas Afridi’s delivery to hand an easy catch to Shahnawaz Dahani. The right-handed batter scored 42 off 38 deliveries; smoking six boundaries.

Fakhar, on the other hand, stood firm and went on to smash another half-century. The left-handed opener was breathing fire before falling short to Imran Tahir in the 15th over. He top-scored with a quick 60 off 37 deliveries, laced with five boundaries and two sixes.

Following his departure, the veteran batter – Hafeez and the English batter – Salt, provided a late onslaught to the home side and posted a magnificent 60-runs partnership before Hafeez departed in the final over. He scored an astonishing 43 off 29 balls; including a boundary and three sixes.

Salt, on the other hand, remained unbeaten with his 26 as the side finished at 182-4 in the allotted overs.