David Wiese’s all-round heroics helped Lahore Qalanadars in booking a berth in the final after defeating Islamabad United by 6 runs, in the Pakistan Super League second Eliminator, on February 25(Friday).
Early danger
Batting first, the home side led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, scored a formidable total of 168 runs losing 7 wickets in 20 overs. Winning the toss, Lahore Qalandars decided to bat first but the decision seemed to backfire as they lost two quick wickets within first three overs, scoring just 7 runs.
For Islamabad United, their bowler Liam Dawson seemed to be on fire as he picked up two quick wickets to put pressure on the opponents.
But later a solid partnership of 73 runs off 42 balls between Abdullah Shafique (52 runs off 28 deliveries) and Kamran Ghulam (30 runs off 26 balls) helped the Lahore Qalandars team in avoiding the early danger.
Later, Samit Patel (21 runs off 18 balls) and David Wiese (28 runs off 8 balls) scored some quick runs to help their side in reaching a defendable total. Wiese’s innings was comprised of 1 boundary and 3 sixes and on the other hand, Patel had smashed 1 boundary and 1 six.
For, Islamabad United, their bowlers- Liam Dawson and Mohammad Wasim picked up two wickets each as Shadab Khan and Waqas Maqsood scalped one wicket each.
The run-chase
In reply, Islamabad-based franchise lost their first wicket in the third over of the match, after their opening batter Paul Stirling (13 runs off 10 balls) was sent back to the dressing room as skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed Lahore’s first wicket of the match.
But the other opening batter- Alex Hales (38 runs off 29 balls) and wicketkeeper Azam Khan (40 runs off 28 balls) displayed solid batting show to keep their side’s hopes alive in the fixture. But Pakistan’s Haris Rauf played a big role in dismissing both the batsmen.
Rauf played a key role in running out Azam and then he bowled a terrific delivery to send Hales back to the dressing room.
Eventually, 8 runs were needed from the last over for Islamabad United to win the game but Lahore’s South African all-rounder David Wiese successfully defended his side’s total as he conceded just 1 run and picked up one wicket.
In the final match, Lahore Qalandars will face Multan Sultans, on February 27 (Sunday).
