Lahore Qalandars defeated Multan Sultans by just 1 run in the Pakistan Super League 2023 championship game, and there were numerous instances during the game when it could have gone other way.
Lahore Qalandars won the toss and elected to bat first. With the help of Abdullah Shafique’s brilliant 65 runs (40 balls, 8 fours, and 2 sixes), LQ posted a respectable total of 200/6 in its 20 overs. However, Shaheen Afridi stole the show with a blistering 44 runs not out in just 15 balls and an innings that featured 2 fours and 5 sixes. The best bowler for Multan Sultans was Usama Mir, who got 3 wickets. The openers Mirza Tahir Baig (30 runs, 18 balls, 5 fours, and 1 six) and Fakhar Zaman (39 runs, 34 balls, 4 fours, and 1 six) both contributed significantly.
Usman Khan (18 runs, 12 balls, 4 fours) and skipper Mohammad Rizwan (34 runs, 23 balls, 5 fours) put up a partnership of 41 runs to get Multan Sultans off to a strong start. With a score of 105/2 in 10 overs and Rilee Rossouw leading the team with 52 runs (32 runs, 7 fours, and 2 sixes), Multan Sultans appeared to be in position to win the championship. However, the team began to lose wickets often, and in the last over, Mohammad Rizwan’s team required 13 runs. Multan Sultans were defeated by Lahore Qalandars for 199 as the final batter Khusdil Shah was run out.
Shaheen Afridi, who won Player of the Match for his all-around effort (4/51 & 44 runs*), also made history by becoming the first captain to take home two PSL championships.
Pakistani cricket fans frequently compare the PSL with the IPL, and after the final match’s thrilling conclusion, one Pakistani journalist did the same on Twitter.
He wrote, “Pretty sure that the IPL in its entire existence has never been exciting as this PSL season alone. We Pakistanis are so lucky to have the most exciting league in the world”.
Pretty sure that the IPL in its entire existence has never been exciting as this PSL season alone. We Pakistanis are so lucky to have the most exciting league in the world♥️
— Haroon (@hazharoon) March 18, 2023
He soon came under fire from Indian cricket fans, and some of their responses were quite entertaining. See a few of the chosen ones:
— Rahul 😎 (@22delhisehaibc) March 19, 2023
https://twitter.com/cyclops905029/status/1637468481053659136?s=20
Pretty sure .. kuch phook liya hai par jo bhi phooka hai mast phooka hai .. retired aur disacrded players wali league sirf psl hi hai .. u pakistanis are so lucky
— Nitin 🇮🇳 (@nitinagarwal80) March 18, 2023
When PSL Struggle Ends,
IPL Excitement Starts ✨— Vikesh Yadav (@VKSFantasy) March 19, 2023
– 240 Runs chase easily
– 50 mtr boundary
– Stands are empty
– Retired and unsold players
– Shortage of venue
– Shortage of flood light
– CCTV stolen
– Ball TamperingBut PSL is still best league in the world 😂😂😂
— Ash (@Ashsay_) March 18, 2023
https://twitter.com/_UnrealDaniel/status/1637160998787248136?s=20
https://twitter.com/_UnrealDaniel/status/1637160998787248136?s=20
IPL prize money = 46 crores
PSL prize money = 3.4 croresAukaad mein raho Pakistanio
Baap Baap hota hai
Beta BetaP.S . No international tournaments happening during IPL
Whereas only third class international players participate in PSL
— Seema Haware (@Seema_hw) March 18, 2023
https://twitter.com/FerozMansoori/status/1637161421090836488?s=20
I Don't understand this obsession with IPL. We Indians never talk about PSL during IPL. It is like comparing EPL to Saudi Arabia league or comparing Wimbledon to some random tennis tournament. Bhai khush raho na PSL se. Why unnecessary keep mentioning IPL.
— Barkha Joshi (@bindasbarkha) March 18, 2023
Pretty sure that the IPL in its entire existence has never been exciting as this PSL season alone. We Pakistanis are so lucky to have the most exciting league in the world♥️
— Haroon (@hazharoon) March 18, 2023
https://twitter.com/ezpresu/status/1637162846101422082?s=20
What do you think about the PSL and IPL being compared?
