Twitter Reactions: Rashid Khan’s last over heroics steer Lahore Qalandars past Islamabad United

Initially, the target of 144, set by Islamabad United for the Lahore Qalandars, meant that the match wasn’t supposed to go down the wire. However, Sohail Akhtar’s Qalandars almost made a meal of a straightforward run-chase. In the end, the Qalandars held on to their nerves and won by five wickets off the last ball. The win also took them to the top of the table in the 2021 PSL.

Qalandars’ bowlers step up

After being put in to bat first, the United batters could hardly get going. James Faulkner got rid of Colin Munro, Rohail Nazir, and Shadab Khan to push Islamabad on the backfoot. Iftikhar Ahmed and Asif Ali tried to up the ante with some big shots but fell prey to Ahmed Daniyal. Usman Khawaja had a torrid time as well as he could only score a 17-ball 18 before Haris Rauf dismissed him.

Rashid Khan was hard to get away as he conceded nine runs and bowled as many as 15 dot balls. In fact, the United batters played out 10 overs of dot deliveries. Rashid also accounted for the wicket of Hussain Talat. It was only because of Faheem Ashraf’s 27 that Islamabad posted a competitive 143 on the board. Shaheen Afridi looked a tad indifferent as he conceded runs at an economy of 9.25.

Rashid Khan saves the day for Lahore

With the required rate not being too high, the Qalandars ambled along. Skipper Sohail scored a quick-fire 30-ball 40 with five fours and one six to set the tone. He got the apt support from Mohammad Hafeez, who notched a 25-ball 29. Opener Fakhar Zaman and Muhammad Faizan failed to get into the double digits. Ben Dunk couldn’t get going as he got a rather laborious 18-ball 17.

In the meantime, the asking rate climbed to a large extent with the Qalandars needing 22 off the last seven balls. Tim David’s six off Hasan Ali meant that Lahore needed 16 runs off the last over. Thereafter, Rashid smashed Talat for three fours in a row to make the Qalandars favourites. With a run needed off the last ball, David top-edged one over the keeper’s head to see his team through.

Here’s how the netizens reacted:

Great start boys @lahoreqalandars. Well bowled @rashidkhan_19. It’s a shame I am not @thePSLt20. I will always be watching and right behind the boys to win. Good luck @sameenrana and @AJavedOfficial.

— Samit Patel (@Samitpatel21) June 9, 2021

Last ball thriller #unitedvsQalandars. It’s easy to pin a blame on somebody after the event but Shadab should have bowled that last over!

— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) June 9, 2021

“Qalanderified”!

— Salman Butt (@im_SalmanButt) June 9, 2021

Rashid Khan! A true MVP! With ball, he bowled 4 overs and didn't concede any boundary. With bat, he batted 5 balls and hit 3 fours to chase 16 off the last over. Lahore Qalandars now on top of the points table. #PSL6

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) June 9, 2021

Great start in the @thePSLt20 for @lahoreqalandars Always great to get an early win and build some momentum!! Keep going guys will be supporting from afar!! @sameenrana @rashidkhan_19 @FakharZamanLive @bendunk51 @MHafeez22 @iShaheenAfridi @imSohailAkhtar @HarisRauf14

— David Wiese (@David_Wiese) June 9, 2021

Rashid Khan is in different level among spinners in T20, just proving day by day in all leagues around the world. 1 for 9 from 4 overs at an economy rate of 2.2. The King Khan of Afghanistan. #PSL6

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 9, 2021

I am such a huge Rashid Khan fan, I cant explain. pic.twitter.com/SbCGohl6aN

— Ali Khan Tareen (@aliktareen) June 9, 2021

1-9 with the ball, 15 off 5 with the bat.@rashidkhan_19 ends Lahore's drought in the capital and earns a shiny trophy as Player of the Match.#HBLPSL6 | #MatchDikhao | #LQvIU pic.twitter.com/9Q690EQ5Xr

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) June 9, 2021

Relive @rashidkhan_19’s fireworks for @lahoreqalandars as he snatched victory away from @IsbUnited at the end!#HBLPSL6 | #MatchDikhao | #LQvIU pic.twitter.com/fvFOvJpiZv

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) June 9, 2021

Tonight it is 5th time that Rashid Khan has bowled a 4-over spell in T20s conceding less than 10 runs. Only Samuel Badree (7) and Sunil Narine (12) have done it more often in T20 cricket. #PSL6

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) June 9, 2021

Good to debut and get a win with the boys 👍@lahoreqalandars @ Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates https://t.co/ZI0fTaADkN

— James Faulkner (@JamesFaulkner44) June 9, 2021