Lahore Qalandars maintain winning run in repeat of 2022 final

Lahore won for the sixth time in seven games this season, easing to victory over Multan Sultans

Lahore: Lahore Qalandars 180-9, Multan Sultans 159-7 - Lahore Qalandars win by 21 runs

Lahore Qalandars continued their fine run of form as they eased to victory over Multan Sultans in much more comfortable circumstances than when they last met.

The sides played out this year's tournament opener and came out on top as one-run winners, but this time were more straightforward winners by 21 runs thanks to a Sam Billings half century and yet another fine bowling display from a brilliant attack.

Rashid Khan finished with figures of 3 for 15, running through the middle order of Usama Mir (17), Rilee Rossouw (12) and David Miller (1) as a solid start to Sultans' attempt to chase 181 was derailed by the Afghanistan leg-spinner.

They collapsed from 64 for 1 to 87 for 5 in just 3.1 overs as Qalandars' squeezed the game magnificently.

^{Sam Billings made 54 for Qalandars (Arif Ali/AFP via Getty Images)}

Zaman Khan had Shan Masood (19) caught by captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, before Mohammad Rizwan (30) was trapped in front by Sikandar Raza. Kieron Pollard (39) and Khushdil Shah (10) were left with far too much to do.

Earlier, Lahore had recovered from losing Fakhar Zaman in the first over without scoring to post another imposing score. Mirza Baig countered with 17, while Abdullah Shafique hit six fours and a six in his 48 before being caught and bowled by Pollard, who also trapped Billings in front for an excellent 54.

They should arguably have made more of that base – Qalandars were 140 for 4 when Billings departed – but Multan continued to take wickets to restrict the reigning champions to a total that might have seemed chaseable but was eventually well out of reach.

Related Topics

• Mumbai Indians thrash Gujarat Giants in WPL opener
• Danni Wyatt and Laura Wolvaardt among players involved in Pakistan exhibition matches