PSL8: Lahore Qalanders defeated Peshawar Zalmi

PSL8: After defeating Peshawar Zalmi defending champions Lahore Qalandars in the final coming back to the game after a terrible first four seasons

Defending champions Lahore Qalandars defeated Peshawar Zalmi by four wickets in the Pakistan Super League 8 to qualify for the final, where they will face Multan Sultans on Saturday.

In the second eliminator of PSL 8 played at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam won the toss and decided to bat and in the allotted 20 overs, his team scored 171 runs for the loss of five wickets.

Peshawar Zalmi's first loss came in the second over, when opener Saim Ayub was dismissed for just nine runs, but then captain Babar Azam combined with Mohammad Haris to take his team's score to 100.

Babar Azam scored 42 runs off 36 balls with the help of seven fours and got out after bringing his team's score to 104.

Babar Azam's successor, Tom Koehler, faced just two balls and returned to the pavilion without scoring a run.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Haris showed a brilliant batting performance and also completed his half-century. Muhammad Haris combined with Bhanuka Rajapaksa to take the team's score to 153 runs.

Mohammad Haris played an inning of 85 runs with the help of eleven fours and two sixes and was caught out in the 18th over.

Peshawar Zalmi's last out player was Aamir Jamal. Bhanuka Rajapaksa scored 25 while Haseebullah Khan scored five runs to complete the allotted 20 overs.

Zaman Khan and Rashid Khan of Lahore Qalandars dismissed two players of Zalmi each, while Shaheen Shah Afridi managed to get only one wicket by giving 41 runs in four overs.

In response, Lahore Qalandars achieved the set target at the loss of six wickets.

Lahore Qalandars opener Mirza Tahir Baig batted responsibly and scored 54 runs off 42 balls with the help of seven fours and two sixes. He was declared the best player in the match.

In the last overs, Sikandar Raza scored 23 runs off 14 balls and Shaheen Afridi scored 12 runs off four balls.

For Peshawar, Azmatullah Umar Zai took two wickets while Amir Jamal, Wahab Riaz, and Salman Irshad took one wicket each.

Comments on social media: 'Such a return to the game after four terrible seasons'

Congratulations @lahoreqalandars 🔥🔥 Tahir Baig really took the game forward. Great teamwork overall

Looks like we will see a recap of PSP 7 Final. But who will take the victory this time?#PSL #LQvsPZ #Semifinals pic.twitter.com/0dds6bhfHm

— Saeed Ajmal (@REALsaeedajmal) March 17, 2023

Saeed Ajmal, a former player of the Pakistan cricket team, while congratulating Lahore Qalandars, wrote that "Tahir Baig took the game forward but overall it was teamwork."

He further wrote 'Looks like we will see a recap of PSL 7. But who will win this time?

It should be noted that in last year's PSL 7, Multan Sultans and Lahore Qalandars reached the final and Qalandars won the tournament for the first time by defeating Sultans by 42 runs.

Lahore Qalandars will be playing 3rd consecutive Final in 4 years. That's how you make a comeback after having 4 horrible first seasons…. pic.twitter.com/oyKVJ2Fv7w

— Nawaz 🇵🇰 (@Rnawaz31888) March 17, 2023

A user named Nawaz wrote that 'Lahore Qalandars will play the third consecutive final in four years. You come back to a game like this after a terrible first four seasons.'

Captained Lahore Qalandars to back to back finals, always leading from the front, backing his player all the time, always there to guide the young players. The class and aura he has is crazy. Shaheen Shah Afridi the man, captain and bowler you are! pic.twitter.com/v3tvqdaLos

— Saad (@CricContent_) March 17, 2023

A user named Saad praised Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi and wrote that 'He captained the team that led Lahore Qalandars to back-to-back finals, always led the team from the front, always supported his players, young Always be there to guide the players. The class and glam they have are the best. Shaheen Shah Afridi is a wonderful man, captain, and bowler.

But while Shaheen Shah Afridi was being praised for reaching the final of Lahore Qalandars, many users also looked sad for Zalmi's captain Babar Azam.

Feeling sad for him, highest run-scorer but his team knocked out. Congratulations @lahoreqalandars and @iShaheenAfridi #BabarAzam #LQvPZ pic.twitter.com/o8NPkf9k7k

— muzamilasif (@muzamilasif4) March 17, 2023

A user named Muzamil Asif wrote that he is sad for Babar Azam. He scored the most runs in this tournament but his team was knocked out.

Both of them tried their best with the resources they had👏💯. #PSL8 #HBLPSL8 #PSL2023 #PSL08 pic.twitter.com/IVFJ3fqHzs

— Shaharyar Ejaz 🏏 (@SharyOfficial) March 17, 2023

Shahryar Ejaz wrote that this tournament was perfect for Babar Azam as a captain and a batsman. He is the highest run-scorer in the tournament and his team struggled under his captaincy with one of the worst bowling attacks in the PSL.

Not just a league to us , you are an emotion , Thank u PSL 🤍#PSL08 pic.twitter.com/YPMHX3LBaI

— Sumra 🇵🇰 (@Binte__Khalid) March 18, 2023

It should be noted that Babar Azam has scored a total of 519 runs in the current season of the Pakistan Super League. Earlier, Mohammad Rizwan was the top run-scorer in PSL with 516 runs.

Pov; you realize PSL is ending tomorrow. #PSL08 pic.twitter.com/sw3yKkuPOo

— Ifrah2.0🇵🇰 (@mahhwords) March 17, 2023

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