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The first game of the PSL 2023 witnessed a high-scoring thriller between Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans. The two sides indulged in cut-throat competition and put up a brilliant performance, but eventually, Sultans lost the game by the barest of margins as the defending champions Qalandars clinched a one-run victory.
Multan Sultans won the toss and put the Qalandars to bat first. Fakhar Zaman and Mirza Baig got their side off to a good start with a 61-run stand before the latter was dismissed. Fakhar scored a 42-ball 66, finishing as the top scorer for his side. The middle-order batters too chipped in and added few runs as the Qalandars finished at 175/6.
Chasing the total, Sultans’ openers Shan Masood and Mohammad Rizwan shared a massive 100-run stand before Hussain Talat finally got his side the breakthrough by dismissing Masood. Rizwan continued to add runs on the board while David Miller and Kieron Pollard’s cameo helped the Sultans add some crucial runs.
The game went down the wire when the Sultans needed 15 to win off the final over. But three wickets fell within four deliveries and the Qalandars managed to clinch a thrilling one-run victory over the Sultans.
Top Performers from the match:
Fakhar Zaman:
The opening batter provided the Qalandars with a terrific start by notching up 66 runs off 42 deliveries, which included three fours and five huge sixes. He was the top-scorer for his side and his knock helped the defending champions put up a target of 176 runs and late defend it.
Mohammad Rizwan:
Multan Sultans’ captain and wicketkeeper-batter Rizwan played a key role in the team’s first outing this season. He formed crucial partnerships with Shan Masood and David Miller before being dismissed by Shaheen Afridi. He scored a magnificent 50-ball 75 but his knock went in vain as his side lost the contest by the barest of margins.
What’s next for both teams?
Multan Sultans will face Quetta Gladiators on February 15 in the third match of the tournament, while Lahore Qalandars will be playing their next game on February 19 against Karachi Kings.
