Multan Sultans beat Lahore Qalandars by 28 runs to become the first finalist of the Pakistan Super League 2021/22. They set a target of 164 and restricted the Sultans to 135/9.
After being put in to bat, the Sultans lost Shan Masood early, pinned leg-before by Mohammad Hafeez in the second over. But Aamer Azmat kept the scoreboard ticking with timely boundaries as the Sultans finished the Powerplay on 45/1. He struck five fours in his 22-ball 33.
In contrast, Mohammad Rizwan's unbeaten 53 comprised of just three fours. He was unable to break free. If not for the attack at the other end by Rilee Rossouw, the Sultans would not have reached a competitive total. Rossouw struck seven fours and a six in his 42-ball 65.
Asked to chase 164, Fakhar Zaman and Kamran Ghulam got the Qalandars off to a decent start after they lost Abdullah Shafique in the third over. But Ghulam got run out on 20. Soon afterwards, Mohammad Hafeez was dismissed by Khushdil Shah.
Fakhar then added 54 with Harry Brook. At one point it seemed the Qalandars would ease past the target, but Shahnawaz Dahani broke this partnership and got the wicket of Phil Salt to boot. Fakhar, too, got out on 63, and the Qalandars lost by 28 runs.
Multan Sultans 163/2 in 20 overs (Rossouw 65; Hafeez 1-16) beat Lahore Qalandars 135/9 in 20 overs (Fakhar 63; Dahani 3-19) by 28 runs. Player of the Match: Shahnawaz Dahani.