- Dec 2, 2024
The match number 7 of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 9 saw the two giants up against each other. Eventually, it was in the end the host Multan Sultans (MUL) registered a thumping win against the defending champions Lahore Qalandars (LAH) by five wickets. With this win, MUL have solidified its position at the number one spot while LAH remains at the fifth spot. Moreover, with this win the MUL have maintained their undefeated streak at their home ground in this edition of the competition.
Earlier, in the game, it was LAH who won the toss and elected to bat first. The visitors did not have the best of starts as they lost opener Sahibzada Farhan in the second over of the game. However, then the star Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman (41) and Rassie van der Dussen (54) got together to stitch a brilliant second-wicket partnership of 94 runs in just 66 balls. In addition to it, later partnerships from Sikandar Raza (23) and Jahandad Khan (16) helped LAH score a total of 166 runs on board.
The star of the innings from the game for LAH were Fakhar contributed 41 runs from 36 deliveries, including 2 boundaries and 2 sixes, while Van der Dussen added 54 runs from 37 balls, comprising 4 fours and 2 sixes. Their efforts propelled Lahore Qalandars to a competitive total of 166 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in 20 overs. For Multan’s Mohammad Ali secured 2 wickets, with Abbas Afridi and Usama Mir each taking one wicket.
In pursuit of the target, Multan Sultans’ captain and key opener, Mohammad Rizwan delivered an outstanding innings, scoring 82 runs off 59 balls, including 9 fours and 3 sixes. Alongside him, David Willey contributed 25 runs off 23 balls, featuring a boundary and a six. However, it was star all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed who played a pivotal role, smashing 34 runs from just 11 balls, with 5 fours and 2 sixes.
With these performances, the Sultans successfully chased down the target in 19 overs, securing a 5-wicket victory with a total of 170 runs for the loss of 5 wickets. Captain Rizwan was awarded the ‘Player of the Match’ for his exceptional innings, leading his team to victory. Skipper Shaheen Afridi, young pacer Zaman Khan, and George Linde each claimed one wicket for Lahore Qalandars in the second innings.
Let us look at how Twitter has reacted to this win from Multan Sultans;
Ifti Best Power Hitter In World Currently Best In World !!!
— Haider🤴 (@haidersa20) February 21, 2024
Ifti jigs should be the caption
— 𝗤𝗮𝗶𝘀 (@Zaleel_shur) February 21, 2024
Love to watching in Death overs
— Md Husnain (@mdrj007) February 21, 2024
Chacha thrashed sasta Imran Khan
— Furkan (@tweetbyfurkan) February 21, 2024
Ifti Chachu 🔥 🔥 🔥
— Haider🤴 (@haidersa20) February 21, 2024
चाचा आज आग खाके आए थे क्या आज।
— Ankit Verma (@TechyWicket) February 21, 2024
Ifti Chicha is rocking…
— The Random Guy (@RandomTheGuy_) February 21, 2024
Chachu the finisher
— Sikandar Virk🇵🇰 (@Sikandar_Virk18) February 21, 2024
Congratulations Multan Sultan
Iftikhar Smashed #PSL9— Md Husnain (@mdrj007) February 21, 2024