Lahore Qalandars upset Multan Sultans by just one run in the nail-biting HBL PSL 8 championship game at the Gaddafi Stadium becoming the first team to successfully defend the HBL Pakistan Super League championship. Skipper Shaheen Afridi’s all-around performance in the final, engineered his side to victory with an explosive 44-run knock from just 15 balls before producing a remarkable death-bowling session that resulted in four wickets.
GREATEST. FINAL. EVER.@lahoreqalandars become the first team to successfully defend their HBLPSL title 🏆#HBLPSL8 | #SabSitarayHumaray | #MSvLQ pic.twitter.com/hskDWqKZRr
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 18, 2023
Match Summary
Qalandars posted a solid total of 200/6 after they won the toss and opted to bat on an extremely batting-friendly pitch. In response, The Sultans were able to keep up with the required run rate but Shaheen ended up being the pick of the bowlers for Qalandars with four wickets.
Tim David, Kieron Pollard, Anwar Ali and Usama Mir were picked by the fast ballers. Spinner Rashid Khan also helped the team’s cause with two wickets for 26 runs.
On the final delivery, Multan Sultans needed 4 runs to win and although the batsmen completed two runs, the throw from Tim Wiese was good enough to dismiss Khushdil.
"Tears, Hugs, Smiles"
Watch complete winning moments of HBL PSL 8 Final
YT: https://t.co/mAVUO95vKq#HBLPSL8 #SabSitarayHumaray #sochnabemanahai #qalandarhum #QalandarsCity pic.twitter.com/LOx35DGKlL
— Lahore Qalandars (@lahoreqalandars) March 18, 2023
Here’s How Twitter Reacted
©️ presenting you the QALANDARS Wall#qalandarhum #SabSitarayHumaray #HBLPSL8 #QalandarsCity #LQvMS pic.twitter.com/3Y0R1RMama
— Lahore Qalandars (@lahoreqalandars) March 18, 2023
Shaheen Shah Afridi has turned out to be a terrific leader. Congrats again to @lahoreqalandars
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) March 18, 2023
Most trolled team in the first 4 years. Only team without a trophy after the first 6. Shaheen awarded captaincy. Everyone mocked them for giving such an inexperienced man the push. Fast forward 2 years. He's the only captain to win back-to-back PSL titles. Lahore Qalandars are… https://t.co/QvbIDlxkJt pic.twitter.com/8ddOBElIi2
— Nawaz 🇵🇰 (@Rnawaz31888) March 18, 2023
Congratulations Lahore Qalandars! What a champion Shaheen Shah Afridi is, big match player, won it with the bat and the ball for Lahore Qalandars! pic.twitter.com/w8F5SEDvgo
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) March 18, 2023
HANDS DOWN! The Best PSL match ever and one of the all time great T20s. Hats off to Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans for putting on an incredible show…one that will spoken of for many many years to come. pic.twitter.com/VjWBSVS6Br
— Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz) March 18, 2023
CRICKET AT ITS BEST! ❤️🏏
This is what you call a “paisa wasool” final. Well done @lahoreqalandars on crowning #HBLPSL8 👑. But equal credits for @MultanSultans too on a brilliant fight till last ball. #Lahore crowd would’ve definitely loved it all 🤩#MSvLQ pic.twitter.com/hV616b7ztD
— Imam Ul Haq (@ImamUlHaq12) March 18, 2023
HBL PSL Final 2023 Awards
HBL PSL 8 Player of the Tournament: Ihsanullah (Multan Sultans) (22 wickets, economy-rate 7.59)
Batter of HBL PSL 8: Mohammad Rizwan (Multan Sultans) (550 runs, 142.5 strike-rate)
Bowler of HBL PSL 8: Ihsanullah (Multan Sultans) (22 wickets, economy-rate 7.59)
Fielder of HBL PSL 8: Kieron Pollard (Multan Sultans) (11 catches)
Wicketkeeper of HBL PSL 8: Mohammad Rizwan (Multan Sultans) (14 dismissals)
Emerging player of HBL PSL 8: Abbas Afridi (Multan Sultans) (23 wickets, economy-rate 9.45)
All-rounder of HBL PSL 8: Imad Wasim (Karachi Kings) (404 runs and nine wickets)
Spirit of Cricket: Peshawar Zalmi
Umpire of HBL PSL 8: Alex Wharf
Header Image Credit: Dawn
