They finally did it! Not once, but twice! That too for the first time ever!
Lahore Qalandars managed to overcome their shortcomings and win their first match of ongoing Pakistan Super League. With this win they managed to break their 8-match losing streak dating back to PSL2. Spearheaded by 17-year-old Shaheen Afridi’s 5 wickets for 4 runs, they defeated the in-form Multan Sultans by 6 wickets. Their captain Brendon McCullum, dropped twice (on 9 and 10) in consecutive overs, scored an unbeaten, run-a-ball 35 to lead them to the ever elusive win.
They repeated the feat in their next match with a super over victory over Karachi Kings who missed the chance regain their spot at the top of the table. In a rather oscillating match, Lahore managed to pull off a win by defending 11 runs in the super over, bowled by Narine. The team is already out of the tournament but victory against arch rivals Karachi has given Lahore something to cherish. With 2 matches left in the tournament, Lahore Qalandars can end the tournament on a high note with at least one more victory.
Islamabad United continued their winning streak and now sits second on the table with 10 points. Their wicketkeeper-batsman and top scorer Luke Ronchi has been in sublime form scoring successive 70+ scores leading them from front. They can end up being the table toppers if they win against the current leaders Quetta Gladiators.
After a mixed start, Quetta Gladiators have picked up momentum after their dismal outing against Mutlan Sultan where they were bundled out for 102. Since then they have avenged that loss with a narrow 2 wicket win over Multan Sultans on Sir Viv Richard’s birthday. This was followed by two comprehensive wins against Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi, taking them to top of the table. Their opening batsman and the current highest run scorer of PSL 3, Shane Watson has been in top form with 299 runs at a healthy average of 42.71. A win against Islamabad United in their last match will more or less ensure them top spot at the table.
The last 2 spots are now being contended by Peshawar Zalmi, Multan Sultans and Karachi Kings. Multan has only one game left so they will be going all out to cement their chances of playing qualifiers. Sangakkara and Imran Tahir continue to lead them from front though they became the first team to lose to the Qalandars this season followed by a rather one-sided loss to Karachi Kings.
Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings will play each other in an all-important match. Karachi Kings lead the former by 3 points and a win against Zalmi will almost ensure their qualification. They are still feeling the loss in super over to Lahore Qalandars but the good news is that Babar Azam has peaked at the right time while Shahid Afridi has been consistent in his bowling. They’ll be relying on these two to take them to the final in their own city.
Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings will play each other in an all-important match. Karachi Kings lead the former by 3 points and a win against Zalmi will almost ensure their qualification. They are still feeling the loss in super over to Lahore Qalandars but the good news is that Babar Azam has peaked at the right time while Shahid Afridi has been consistent in his bowling. They’ll be relying on these two to take them to the final in their own city.
Peshawar Zalmi need to win both of their matches to have a chance to qualify for the semis. Their captain Darren Sammy is still not one hundred percent and the team performance has been quite inconsistent. If they want to defend their title, it’s time they come and perform together as a team.
As the group stage reaches its final phase, the excitement of cricket matches in Lahore and Karachi has already taken over the country. All three matches are expected to be full houses and Karachi has been announced as the venue for the upcoming series against West Indies in April which has sent waves of excitement throughout the biggest city of the country.
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