PSL 2018, Match 20 Review: Shaheen Afridi runs riot; Lahore Qalandars finally break the jinx

The Lahore Qalandars’ story this season has been a tragic one, losing all their game and creating new unwanted records in the process. They became the first team in Pakistan Super League (PSL) history to lose 8-consecutive games in the tournament around 24 hours ago. But a certain Afridi with number 10 on his back ran riot to help them break the deadlock. It’s not the Afridi we all revere, it’s youngster Shaheen Afridi, who just 17 years old.

The Multan Sultans were on a high and decided to bat first after winning the toss. Although Ahmed Shehzad found it difficult to get going, Kumar Sangakkara played an absolute gem of a knock. Clearly, the Lankan legend still has something to offer to the gentleman’s game. Shehzad and Sangakkara added 61 runs for the first wicket.

Sohaib Maqsood and Shehzad found it difficult to get going. After a blistering start, their scoring dipped a tad bit. Sunil Narine did a great job in these middle overs to tidy things up for the Qalandars. Narine dismissed Maqsood and another over later, Shehzad lost his composure, but what followed was completely unexpected.

Shaheen Afridi was handed the ball with two experienced campaigners in Shoaib Malik and Kieron Pollard in the middle. The scorecard read 99/3 before heading into the 16th over, where the game changed completely. Afridi picked up three wickets off the last four balls, the victims being Malik, Ross Whiteley, and Saif Badar.

He then came to bowl the final over, where he barely gave away any runs and picked up two more wickets. Afridi registered mind-boggling figures of 5/4 in 3.4 overs, which also includes a maiden over. The Sultans got bowled out for 114 in 19.4 overs. Narine was spectacular as well, registering figures of 2/16 in his 4 overs.

Multan drags the game to the wire

Despite having to chase a paltry 115 runs, the Qalandars found it difficult to get there at a point. But eventually, skipper Brendon McCullum‘s experience played a crucial role in a tricky situation and got their side home for the first time in quite a while.

Fakhar Zaman and Anton Devcich gave them the ideal start chasing this low total. Teams often wonder if they should go all out against the bowling attack or should reciprocate according to the required rate. The openers chose the first way and accumulated some quick runs, adding 33 runs for the first wicket in just 15 balls.

Anton Devcich fell in the third over after the thunderous start. In the next over, Fakhar Zaman fell prey to the magic of Imran Tahir and Agha Salman walked back just before the Powerplay culminated. Gulraiz Sadaf and Brendon McCullum added a 53-run partnership for the next wicket, but they took an awful lot of time to score those runs.

Those 53 runs came off 66 balls, which almost pushed Lahore into trouble. It seemed as if the Sultans might register a stellar comeback after they brought the equation down to 16 needed off 15 balls. Sadaf was dismissed at that point, adding to the misery. But Sohail Akhtar came in and hit a six to disburse the pressure.

McCullum finished the game in style, remaining unbeaten on 35 runs off 35 balls. It took them 18.4 overs to chase this total down and bring some smiles on the faces of their fans. The surreal performance from the teenage sensation Shaheen Afridi earned him the player of the match award.

Brief Scores

Multan Sultans: 114 all out in 19.4 overs (Kumar Sangakkara 45; Shaheen Afridi 5/4, Sunil Narine 2/16)

Lahore Qalandars: 115/4 in 18.4 overs (Brendon McCullum 35*, Gulraiz Sadar 27; Mohammad Irfan 1/20)

Player of the match: Shaheen Afridi