PES VS LAH QUALIFIER 2

Right then, that's all from this game. Lahore Qalandars emerged victorious this evening and they join Multan Sultans in the final. On the other hand, this loss brings an end to Peshawar Zalmi's campaign. The final of the Pakistan Super League 2023 season between Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans will take place on Saturday, the 18th of March. The first ball will be bowled at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). As always, you can join us in advance for the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye!

Shaheen Afridi, the skipper of Lahore Qalandars, says in the big games pressure is always there. He adds that when they were bowling the ball was gripping a bit and they planned on scoring heavily at the top as there are players to score big at the end. He also says that he is looking to contribute in all aspects of his game and is enjoying batting. He closes by saying that the team is up and ready for the final and would be looking to defend their title.

Mirza Tahir Baig is the Player of the Match for his match-winning knock of 54 runs from 42 balls. Starts by saying that the team trusted in him and he was backing his ability. Thanks the team and Shaheen Afridi for their support. Shares that Ahsan Bhatti gave good momentum to their innings and it was important to build the partnership which he did with Sam Billings. Ends by saying that the key was to keep wickets in hand and it came down to run a ball in the end.

Babar Azam, the skipper of Peshawar Zalmi, says that the score was below par as they had a really good start and after his dismissal, the team lost their way a bit. Adds that the score should have been at least 180-185 on this track. Feels that the track was good and not a two-faced monster as the ball was bouncing a fair bit and it stayed true till the end. Shares that he is really impressed by Saim Ayub as it feels so good to have a youngster who imposes himself in such a manner and batting with him was really good. Closes by saying that the victory of the team is the most important and the form of any player are considered in the progression of the team.

Time for the presentations...

Sikandar Raza is in for a flash interview. He says that when he walked out to bat the team was in a situation of bother but they progressed well with the game. He adds that his partnership with Sam Billings was important and he is happy to have had that partnership as that positively helped the team. He adds that everybody has played his part in this victory let it be the team management or the physios as they have taken care of their roles perfectly. Also mentions that Shaheen Afridi is a very encouraging and brave captain and is always open to opinions from other teammates as well.

Earlier in the game, after Babar Azam won the toss and opted to bat first, Peshawar Zalmi were rocked early losing Saim Ayub in the second over. Babar Azam and Mohammad Haris got together and scored freely, stitching an 89-run stand. After the departure of the skipper, Mohammad Haris kept going at one end and Bhanuka Rajapaksa's decent cameo helped them end with 171 on the board. In the second half, Peshawar Zalmi bowlers bowled their heart out but it did not prove to be enough against the strong batting unit of Lahore Qalandars.

Riding high on the last game's bowling performance, Peshawar Zalmi began well with the ball and got rid of Fakhar Zaman cheaply. However, they were unable to put the opposition batters under pressure and conceded 50 runs in the Powerplay. They pulled things back after the Powerplay with a couple of quick wickets but they let it slip once again. Peshawar Zalmi did sense an opening after dismissing Sam Billings and Sikandar Raza in quick succession but they were unable to swing the match their way.

Shaheen Afridi holds his nerves and gets his side over the line. Lahore Qalandars are through to the final of the Pakistan Super League 2023. In their pursuit of 172, Lahore Qalandars were dealt an early blow losing Fakhar Zaman for a low score. Ahsan Bhatti was promoted up the order and he got going straight away. He struck a few lusty blows to get his side off to a good start before departing. The run out of Abdullah Shafique in the 9th over made matters worse for them. Sam Billings and Mirza Tahir Baig then steadied the ship with a 50-run stand. The duo ensured that they had the required run rate under control throughout their partnership. Despite the departure of both batters, Sikandar Raza ensured that his side did not lose their way and towards the end, Shaheen Afridi provided the finishing touches to take his side to yet another Pakistan Super League final.

SIX! Skipper Shaheen Afridi has put his team into the Final with this maximum. Overpitched on off, Shaheen Afridi lofts this well over the bowler's head for a maximum down the ground and they have won this Qualifier 2. Lahore Qalandars chases this down with 7 deliveries to spare and win by 4 wickets.

FOUR! Full toss outside off, Shaheen Afridi slogs this over mid-wicket for a boundary. Crucial boundary at this stage.

Fuller one on off, David Wiese pushes this to sweeper cover for a single.

Yorker in middle, Shaheen Afridi pushes this back onto the stumps at the non-striking end and they take a single off the deflection.

Leg bye. Pace off on this delivery as David Wiese gets hit on his abdomen but they run for it. The ball drops on the off side.

Full and outside off, David Wiese squeezes this one to deep cover and takes a single.

Leg bye! Full and on leg, Shaheen Afridi goes for the clip but gets rapped on the front pad. The ball rolls to square leg and they take a single.

Lahore Qalandars' skipper Shaheen Afridi comes out to bat. Can he get his side over the line?