LAHORE: In the qualifier of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 7, the defending champions Multan Sultans will lock horns with the second-ranked Lahore Qalandars to secure a final berth of the mega event, here at Gaddafi Stadium.
With the PSL 7 entering its final stages as the marquee event enters the play-off stage. The top two teams Sultans and Qalandars will be looking to seal a final spot with a victory in the qualifier.
The defeat, however, will not result in the elimination from the tournament as the losing side would still have the opportunity to face the winner of the first eliminator on February 25 under the lights of Gaddafi Stadium.
Sultans, who enjoyed a formidable run in this year’s PSL so far; winning nine out of their 10 matches in the group matches. With their astonishing run, the defending champions became just the first PSL team to win nine matches in the group stages.
The Sultans, who have played exceptionally well in the tournament so far, rely heavily on their skipper Mohammad Rizwan and his opening partner Shan Masood. The opening pair are among the top scorers of the marquee event and will be a major asset for the team.
In the bowling department, the side has the services of the veteran leg-spinner, Imran Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Rumman Raees and the young sensation Shahnawaz Dahani. Whereas, Asif Afridi and David Willey can also be lethal.
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The Qalandars, on the other hand, also had a cherished tournament so far as the side finished the points table as second despite a super over defeat from Peshawar Zalmi in their last outing.
In the group stage, the home side managed to win six out of their 10 matches and it is worth noticing that the Qalandars are the only side who managed to beat Sultans, whereas the rest of the sides lost both their matches against the defending champions.
Just like the Sultans, the Qalandars too, heavily rely on their top order and Fakhar Zaman in particular as the left-handed batter has scored 521 runs with a stunning average of 52.1, including six fifties and a century.
Apart from Fakhar, the veteran Mohammad Hafeez has also gained his lost form in their last fixture against Zalmi and may score crucial runs for his side.
The side also possesses the firepower in the bowling department having the likes of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Zaman Khan. Whereas, Fawad Ahmed, who joined the squad in place of Rashid Khan, also chipped in with two wickets in his first PSL 7 match.
