DUBAI: Teenage left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi recorded the most economical bowling figures in the history of Pakistan Super League (PSL) to steer Lahore to their first win in this year’s edition with a six-wicket victory against table toppers Multan Sultans in Dubai on Friday.
The 17-year-old pacer from Federally Administered Tribal Areas knocked the formidable Multan Sultans’ batting with figures of 5-4 in 3.4 overs as Multan were derailed from a steady 92-1 to 114 all out in 19.4 overs.
63-runs partnership between Skipper Brendon McCullum (35) and Gulraiz Sadaf (27) sealed the Lahore Qalandars’ victory in 20th fixture of the PSL season three.
On the flip side, Multan, following a solid opening partnership of 61 between Sangakara and Ahmed Shehzad, collapsed soon after Sangakara got caught off Narine.
Sangakara added 45 off 30 balls to the opening stand for Multan. He smashed eight boundaries and a six during his knock.
Shehzad who was the second breakthrough for Lahore with 32 score.
Sohaib Maqsood was the last batsman for Multan who entered in double figures otherwise last seven batsmen were sent back to the pavilion without any mentionable score.
Skipper Multan Sultans, Shoaib Malik (3) also failed to rescue his team in pressure situation. Pollard made only nine.
Apart from Shaheen, Narine took two wickets while Sohail Khan and Mitchell McClenaghan got one wicket each.
In response, Lahore reached the target with six wickets in hands thanks to McCullum who played sensible knock to take his team over to victory line for the first time in this tournament.
Anton Devcich and Fakhar Zaman started the innings for Lahore with a decent partnership of 33 runs.
Fakhar made 19 while Devcich scored quick 22 off nine balls.
Muhammad Irfan, Shoaib Malik, Imran Tahir, Saif Badar and Imran Tahir shared one wicket apiece.
Shaheen Afridi was adjudged man-of-the-match for his outstanding bowling.
For his unreal spell of bowling, @iShaheenAfridi is our Man of the Match#MSvLQ #HBLPSL #DilSeJaanLagaDe pic.twitter.com/QCfFYZefk8
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 9, 2018
Multan Sultans still top the table with nine points but Islamabad United can overtake them if they win against Peshawar Zalmi later Friday. Quetta Gladiators are second with eight points while Karachi Kings are fourth with seven points.
