The Eliminator 2 took place in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore between Peshawar Zalmi and Lahore Qalandars. The toss went the way of Zalmi and they elected to bat first. Zalmi did not have the perfect start as they lost Saim Ayub early on. The Zalmi skipper Babar Azam scored 42 off 36 balls with seven fours.
Mohammad Haris played an incredible innings of 85 off 54 balls with 11 fours and two sixes. With his knock, he held the innings together for his side. Banuka Rajapaksa also contributed by scoring 25 off 18 balls with four fours. Zaman Khan was the pick of the bowlers for Qalandars as he picked up 2-20 in his three overs. Afghanistan superstar Rashid Khan had a rare off day with the ball as he picked up 2-42 in his four overs.
Shaheen Afridi hit the winning runs for Lahore Qalandars to seal the finals berth
Zalmi ended up with 171-5 in their 20 overs. In the run chase, the Lahore Qalandars lost Fakhar Zaman at the start of the innings for just 6 off 5 balls. Mirza Baig the other opener was in full flow. He scored a stroke-filled 54 off 42 balls with seven fours and two sixes. The other Qalandars batters batted around him. Sam Billings made 28 off 21 balls with three fours.
Sikandar Raza also played a vital knock of 23 off 14 balls with three fours. When Raza departed with the score at 161-6, the game could have drifted either way. But David Wiese and Shaheen Afridi had other ideas. They both stayed unbeaten with Wiese making 9 off 7 balls with one four, and the Qalandars skipper making 11 off 4 balls with one four and one six. Qalandars won by 6 wickets.
Shaheen finished off the game with a six straight down the ground. This is the first time that Lahore have chased successfully this season. The green machine could not pick a better game to have done it. Qalandars were runners-up in 2020 and the champions of the previous season. They will want to get their hands on that PSL Trophy this time as well. They will face off against Multan Sultans, who won the league in 2021.
Let us take a look at the reactions on Twitter-
Raza bhaii, you can smile now. We could see your face of tension and sadness in you for not being able to stay till the end. But now come on and bring in the title for Lahore Qalandars. ??? @SRazaB24 pic.twitter.com/4hSoxlRBFK
— Saif Ahmed ?? (@saifahmed75) March 17, 2023
There was a time when people used to make fun of @lahoreqalandars. Their PDP was called "publicity stunt" by many, but @AJavedOfficial @sameenrana @atifnaeemrana remained focused on their goal and PDP. Today, the same PDP is producing match winners for Qalandars. Hats off.
— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) March 17, 2023
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
Massive congrats to @SRazaB24 and the Lahore Qalandars team! Well done for making the PSL final ?
— Ryan Burl (@ryanburl3) March 17, 2023
Assalamualaikum ?????
Good Morning LQ Fans &All ????
Alhamdulillah ?????INSHALLAH :Today, Lahore Qalandars will once again become the champion ???????????#ShaheenShahAfridi #LahoreQalanders #PSL08 #PSL2023 #HBLPSL2023 #LQvsMS #BabarAzam? #BabarAzam pic.twitter.com/4YZ5NDc9Uo
— BiLAL AsLaM LQ ?® (@FulsharifMunda) March 18, 2023
Bad luck @PeshawarZalmi but it was a marvellous Tournament. Lot of learning next time and Congratulations to @lahoreqalandars and @MultanSultans Good wishes to both teams for the final. ????????????? https://t.co/NVEjvC5X1B
— Muhammad Awais Khan (@awaiskha008) March 18, 2023
But dont forget @lahoreqalandars has a benefit to play 50% of their matches in their home city like @MultanSultans who has 100% win record in #PSL08 in their home city this benefit some of the franchise dont have.
— Farhan Siddiqui (@urfarhan) March 18, 2023
Ye saala har saal PSL Final khelne ki aadat ho gai hai apun ko ?????#LahoreQalandars pic.twitter.com/b3r5D2mYB8
— khawajy (@Shahzman_khwaja) March 18, 2023
How can't you appreciate this boy ??? who single handedly took pressure away from his team,he is the Superstar, the Game-changer & inspiration for all. ????@SRazaB24#HBLPSL8 #PSL8 #PSL2023 #HBLPSL2023 #PSL08 #LQvPZ #LahoreQalandars pic.twitter.com/YTd4KpUXgl
— Shehla Ahmed (@SYEDASHEHLAAHM1) March 18, 2023
Lahore Insh Allah
— Ali Alvi (@TehlkaV) March 18, 2023
