RAWALPINDI: Lahore Qalandars have set a target of 181 runs for Multan Sultans during the 20th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight.
Opting to bat first, the Lahore Qalandars posted a decent total on the scoreboard at the back of a vital third-wicket partnership between Billings and Shafique.
Earlier, Qalandars got off to a dismal start as their in-form opener Fakhar Zaman perished for a duck in the first over.
Following the early setback, Tahir Baig stitched a crucial partnership with Abdullah. He launched a counterattack on the Sultans’ bowlers as they added 50 runs at a quick pace before Ihsanullah dismissed the latter, who could score 17 off 11.
Abdullah then joined hands with newly-arrived Billings and stitched another vital partnership for the Qalandars.
The pair raised 69 runs for the third wicket and put Qalandars in contention for a big total before Kieron Pollard removed in-form Abdullah with a stunning caught and bowled. He fell just two runs short of his half-century, scoring a 35-ball 48, laced up with six boundaries and a six.
Billings carried his brilliance with the bat and soon brought up his half-century, but Pollard struck again in his next over to end his brilliant knock. Billings scored 54 off 35 deliveries, hitting six boundaries and two sixes.
The Qalandars then began to lose wickets at regular intervals, but the Sultans’ bowlers failed to stop the flow of runs as some vital contributions from Sikandar Raza (14), David Wiese (15), and Shaheen Shah Afridi (9) took the side to 180 in their allotted overs.
Anwar Ali, Ihsanullah, Pollard, and Abbas Afridi bagged two wickets each, while Sameen Gul could pick up a wicket.
If table-topper Lahore Qalandars — who currently have 10 points on the table after six games — win this match, they will qualify for the playoffs.
Multan Sultans Playing XI
Mohammad Rizwan(w/c), Shan Masood, Rilee Rossouw, David Miller, Kieron Pollard, Khushdil Shah, Anwar Ali, Usama Mir, Abbas Afridi, Sameen Gul, Ihsanullah
Lahore Qalandars Playing XI
Fakhar Zaman, Mirza Tahir Baig, Abdullah Shafique, Sam Billings(w), Hussain Talat, Sikandar Raza, David Wiese, Rashid Khan, Shaheen Afridi(c), Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan.
