In front of a packed crowd at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Lahore Qalandars locked horns with Multan Sultan in Match 20 of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2023. In the top-of-the-table clash, the defending champions defeated last year’s runners-up by 21 runs. Notably, it was Lahore’s second win over Multan in the current season and sixth overall in the seven matches played so far.
The victory also helped Lahore confirm their place in the playoffs of the ongoing edition. During the exciting contest, Lahore skipper Shaheen Afridi won many hearts with his heartwarming gesture towards Mohammad Rizwan after the latter got injured while batting.
It all happened during the fourth ball of the fifth over of the run chase when Haris Rauf’s 141.7 kph delivery struck Rizwan on his elbow, and due to pain, he immediately dropped the bat before sprinting in a hurry to complete the run. After Rizwan reached the non-striker’s end, Afridi came close to him and tried to console Rizwan, who looked in severe pain. The video of Shaheen rushing to help Rizwan has gone viral on social media platforms. Several fans are hailing the left-handed pacer for his great act of sportsmanship.
Here is the video:
©️ checks on ©️
Rizwan is consoled𒈔 by Shaheen after being struck on the arm. | |
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20)
Speaking about the match, Qalandars, after opting to bat first, posted 180/9 on the board in their allotted 20 overs. Wicketkeeper-batter Sam Billings smashed a tremendous half-century, scoring 54 off 35 deliveries, including 6 fours and two sixes. Apart from Billings, Abdullah Shafique also shined with the bat, scoring 48 from 35 balls with the help of 6 fours an🍌d a maximum.
In response, the Sultans only managed to reach 159/7 in 20 overs, losing the contest by 21 runs. All-rounder Kieron Pollard was the top-scorer with 39 runs. For Qalandars, Rashid Khan was the pick of the bowler, bagging three wickets while conceding 15 r🔴uns❀ in his quota of 4 overs.
