David Wiese of Lahore Qalandars produced a sensational performance in the final overs of each of the two innings of the Eliminator 2 against Islamabad United on Friday night to guide his side to a six-run win. Meanwhile, with this win, Lahore Qalandars will now face defending champions Multan Sultans in the finals of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2022.
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Weise turned the game on its head with the bat as he scored 26 runs off the final over of the Qalandars innings. Waqas also conceded a wide, leaking 27 runs in the over. Qalandars went from a seemingly below-par total of 141/7 to 168/7 in a matter of six balls. David Wiese remained undefeated with his explosive 28 off 8 deliveries.
The Qalandars all-rounder then conceded just one run off the four balls of the final over he bowled. Mohammad Wasim Jr was run out and Waqas was brilliantly caught in the deep by Abdullah Shafique as United were bowled out for 162 with two balls to spare.
PSL 2022: The Eliminator 2 Match Summary
Qalandars won the toss and opted to bat. The home side faced a blow in the first over when Liam Dawson sent back the tournament's leading run-getter Fakhar Zaman (1). Dawson then sent Phil Salt (2) in his second over. Qalandars fought back with a 73-run third-wicket partnership between Abdullah and Kamran Ghulam. Abdullah delighted with his maiden HBL PSL half-century. The right-hander top-scored for Qalandars with 52 off 28 balls including 3 sixes.
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Kamran contributed 30 off 26 deliveries. After the departure of Kamran and Abdullah, Qalandars stuttered in the middle overs. Samit Patel scored 21(18) while Mohammad Hafeez struggled to get going with a run-a-ball 28. It was the final over that turned the tide in their favor. Dawson with two for 24 (four overs) was the pick of the Islamabad United bowlers.
Brief scores:
Lahore Qalandars: 168/7 (Abdullah Shafique 52, Kamran Ghulam 30; Liam Dawson 2-24)
Islamabad United: 162 all out (Azam Khan 40, Alex Hales 38; Haris Rauf 2-31)
Lahore Qalandars defeated Islamabad United by 6 runs.