At the Gaddafi Stadium. Captain Shaheen Afridi emerged as the hero, displaying exceptional all-round skills.
In their pursuit of 201 runs to win, Multan Sultans needed 13 runs off the last over bowled by Lahore Qalandars’ specialist Zaman Khan. The match reached its climax when the equation came down to four runs required off the final ball. However, Multan Sultans could only manage two runs from a mishit by Khushdil Shah, and he was run out at the non-striker’s end.
The game swung back and forth dramatically in the last five overs. Shaheen Afridi made a significant impact with the ball, taking crucial wickets in the death overs, finishing with impressive figures of four for 51. Multan Sultans needed 60 runs with seven wickets in hand, but Shaheen’s brilliant death bowling turned the tide in favor of Lahore Qalandars.
Earlier, Lahore Qalandars set a target of 201 for Multan Sultans, thanks to Abdullah Shafique’s sparkling half-century (65 runs off 40 balls) and a late blitz by captain Shaheen Afridi, who smashed 44 not out in just 15 balls. The pair added 66 runs off just 27 balls to power Lahore Qalandars’ total.
In the end, Shaheen Afridi’s all-round brilliance, including his explosive batting and crucial bowling in the death overs, paved the way for Lahore Qalandars’ thrilling one-run victory, making them the first team to successfully defend the HBL Pakistan Super League title