Lahore Qalandars edge Multan Sultans in thriller to win title

LAHORE Qalandars beat Multan Sultans by one run in a thrilling final to secure backto-back Pakistan Super League titles.

Needing four off the last ball, Khushdil Shah was run out attempting a third run to force a super over as Sultans finished on 199-8 in Lahore.

Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi took 4-51 after smashing 44 off 15 balls to help his side post 200-6.

of the organisation, if Juman Yassin is no longer chief. This assertion ought to raise alarm bells. Could greed consume an individual to such lower tiers?

Guyana, our beloved country, embraces multiple ethnicities. We may be divided by politics, race, religion, and even culture, at times. The only thing that brings us together in jubilation and harmony, for many years, is Sport. Whether it is cricket, football, track and field, boxing, or any other discipline, we stand united when our fellow Guyanese are competing on the world stage.

The GOA elections are slated for tomorrow. The only certainty, thus far, is the removal of Yassin from the executive. This nation hopes that bitterness and vindictiveness do not consume the outgoing president. I hope there’s a smooth transition of power; but, only time will tell.

Any attempt to besmirch sport in Guyana should be condemned by every Guyanese within these 83,000 square miles, and also by those in the diaspora. I await the outcome, with watchful eyes. You should, too!

Respectfully,

Geoffrey Stoll Heyliger

Qalandars also beat Sultans in last year’s final.

“We reached the final again and won the title for a second time so that’s a reward for teamwork,” said Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen.

“We played well in the final but it was a tense win.”

After winning the toss, Qalandars reached 95-1 before losing four wickets for 17 runs, including the dismissal of England batter Sam Billings.

Shaheen then launched a stunning onslaught, hitting five sixes and two fours to boost his side to an imposing total, building on Abdullah Shafique’s 65 off 40.

Sultans raced to 105-1 in reply before leg-spinner Rashid Khan bowled Rilee Rossouw for 52 off 32 and removed Mohammad Rizwan for 34 off 23.

Shaheen returned for his second spell to dismiss Kieron Pollard, Tim David, Anwar Ali and Usama Mir, leaving Sultans needing 35 off the last 20 overs.

Khushdil and Abbas Afridi smacked 22 from Haris Rauf’s 19th over, but Zaman Khan kept his calm in the final over, with Shaheen completing the run-out on the final ball to secure victory.(BBC Sport)