DUBAI:
The 8th version of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) will see Lahore Qalandars tackle Multan Sultans within the qualifier, the winner of which is able to acquire direct access into the March 19, marquee ultimate on the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
The Express Tribune appears at the entire issues which is able to subject when the Shaheen Shah Afridi-led 2022 champions face the 2022 runners-up and 2021 HBL PSL champions, who’re captained through keeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan.
History
Lahore Qalandars began their HBL PSL adventure with none actual firepower of their gadget and ended at the ultimate spots consecutively within the first two editions. However, their trust of their skill id marketing campaign, which ran all the way through the 12 months, helped them unearth long term stars.
Today, beneath Shaheen’s in a position management, Lahore are the workforce to overcome in terms of HBL PSL, they usually bagged 14 issues out of the 20 on be offering to turn out it, from the ten league fits. Winning seven and shedding 3, two of them towards arch-rivals Karachi Kings, has put Lahore on a patch to effectively protect their name this 12 months, one thing no different workforce has been in a position to do.
However, we’ve noticed the mighty fall on many events throughout the playoffs, and Lahore have misplaced two out in their ultimate 3 workforce fits, reeking of inconsistency as they pass into the playoff degree.
And the largest hurdle in Lahore’s trail to protect their crown used to be to be offered through the highly-consistent Multan Sultans. They made positive they ended on the second one spot, accumulating the risk to realize direct access into the overall and put Lahore on an extended trail in the event that they wish to elevate the made over HBL PSL trophy for season 8.
Multan are the novices within the HBL PSL because the league began with best 5 groups. They may now not be capable of fit the revel in of alternative franchises, however they’ve surpassed the good fortune price of any workforce through making it to the overall within the ultimate two editions.
Led through Rizwan, Multan have bagged 12 issues, identical as Islamabad United however with a greater run-rate, from the league section marketing campaign, successful six and shedding 4 fits. Their revel in of qualifying after which acting neatly in large fits will give them a bonus over Lahore when the day of the qualifier comes round.
Head to move
The easy reality is Multan have carried out their worst towards Lahore, as in comparison to different fighters within the HBL PSL.
In their ultimate 5 conferences, Multan have misplaced on 4 events, showing their weak spot towards the fancy Lahore aspect. In the 2022 version, Multan’s maximum a success marketing campaign the place they gained 9 out in their 10 fits within the workforce marketing campaign, Rizwan and co confronted Lahore 3 times, misplaced to them two times.
In the continued season, Multan additionally haven’t been in a position to surpass the Lahore problem until now. But the playoffs be offering a unique surroundings and it will come right down to who performs higher cricket at the day.
The toss
Interestingly, of their ultimate 5 encounters, the workforce protecting a complete has at all times gained when Multan confronted Lahore.
In the primary workforce fit in 2022, Lahore gained through 52 runs, whilst Multan gained the following workforce fit through 28 runs. The ultimate of the 2022 version noticed Multan pass over the mark through 42 runs, giving Lahore their first-ever HBL PSL champions name.
This 12 months too, Qalandars have crushed Multan two times through placing up a complete after which protecting it with their world-class bowling, which incorporates captain Shaheen, pacers Haris Rauf and Zaman Khan and ace Afghan spinner Rashid Khan.
Considering the fits that experience came about in Lahore throughout the league section, the toss might as soon as once more play a very powerful function in deciding which workforce will transfer to the overall without delay. Winner of the toss can be no doubt batting first and protecting a goal.
