Lahore Qalandars defeated Peshawar Zalmi in a high-scoring encounter played at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on 26 February 2023.
Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi won the toss and decided to bat first. It was not an ideal start as they lost an early wicket to Miraz Tahir Baig. Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique looked cautious initially before putting pressure on Zalmi’s bowling. Both kept the scoreboard ticking with big shots and not allowing them to settle.
Shafique played a blinder of innings scoring 75 off 41 balls with 5 fours and 5 sixes. Shafique and Zaman added 120 runs for the 2nd wicket laying a strong foundation for a mammoth total. Zaman looked in sensational touch against clueless Zalmi bowling. Sam Billings joined in the party keeping the scoreboard ticking. Zaman was eventually dismissed for 96 off 45 deliveries with 3 fours and 10 sixes with a staggering strike of 213.33. It was a superb batting effort by Qalandars batters to post 241 for 3 in 20 overs.
Shaheen Shah Afridi broke the bat of Mohammed Harris in the first over and then castled him to give Qalandars an early breakthrough. Saim Ayub looked in sensational touch keeping the pressure on the Qalandars’ bowling. Afridi produced another lovely delivery to get rid of Zalmi captain Babar Azam in the 3rd over.
T Kohler Cadmore and Saim Ayub displayed attacking shots keeping pressure on Qalandar’s bowling. Bhaunka Rajapaksa, and Rovman Powell also provided some hope for Zalmi to chase down this massive target.
After the loss of Cadmore wicket, Rajapaksa and Powell steadied the ship but the target was too steep. Shaheen Shah Afridi impressed with bowling picking up 5 wickets for 40 runs in 4 overs. The conditions were good for batting as the dew was evident.
Shaheen Shah Afridi’s performance in PSL 2023
Shaheen Shah Afridi has moved to the number 2 spot among the leading wicket-takers for PSL 2023. Qalandar’s captain grabbed 10 wickets from 4 matches at an economy rate of 8 runs per over. Afridi bowled superb yorkers against Zalmi batting during the death overs and making sure that Qalandars win the match easily.
Lahore Qalandars has played so far 4 matches with 3 wins and only 1 loss. Islamabad United is on 6 points but Qalandars due to less run rate is at number 3rd spot.
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