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Lahore Qalandars reached the final of the Pakistan Super League 2023 with a dominating four-wicket win over Babar Azam-led Peshawar Zalmi in the Eliminator 2 clash on Friday, March 17. The Qalandars have reached the final for second consecutive season and once again will clash against Multan Sultans for the ultimate prize. 

Babar won the toss and elected to bowl first at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium with Bhanuka Rajapaksa replacing Kiwi all-rounder James Neesham. Lahore Qalandars handed a debut to Ahsan Hafeez who replaced Hussain Talat in a surprise change.

Zaman Khan gave the Qalandars a flying start with Saim Ayub’s big wicket in the second over. But Babar and wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Haris pulled off a big 89-run stand for the second wicket to keep the Zalmi on track for a big total. Rashid Khan gave the Qalandars a breakthrough with Babar’s wicket in the 12^th over but Haris produced a brilliant knock of 85 off 54 with 11 fours and two sixes.

Shaheen Afridi dismissed Haris in the 18^th over and then contained the Zalmi’s innings to 171/5. Rashid and Zaman took two wickets each for the Qalandars but Haris Rauf and Ahsan struggled for the wickets.

Fakhar Zaman’s recent struggles continued as he was bowled out on Azmatullah Omarzai’s delivery in the second over. Mirza Baig kept the game balanced from one end and pulled off a remarkable fifty. He scored 54 off 42 and Sam Billings added 28 off 21 to drag the Qalandars closer to the target.

Sikandar Raza added a crucial 23 off 14 and captain Shaheen Afridi finished the game by smashing a six and four. The Qalandars chased the target in 18.5 overs with four wickets remaining to reach the final of PSL 2023.

What’s next for both teams?

Peshawar Zalmi’s campaign ended with a defeat while Lahore Qalandars will face Multan Sultans in the final on Saturday (March 18) at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.