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Shaheen Afridi-led Lahore Qalandars lifted the 7th PSL title by defeating defending champions Multan Sultans on Sunday at Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore. While chasing 180, Multan Sultans' batters were bundled out at 138 runs in 19.3 overs due to Lahore's disciplined bowling and spectacular fielding. Earlier, Lahore posted a total of 180 banking on Hafeez's 69 off 46 and blistering knocks from Harry Brooks (41 off 22) and David Wiese (28 off 8).

In response, Sultans' batters could not deliver an impressive start to their chase as both the openers departed in 5 overs after adding up 41-runs on board. Shan Masood (19 off 15) and skipper Md. Rizwan (14 off 12), failed to provide a solid foundation to the middle-over. Sultans' middle-order collapsed in a high-stake game till Tim David (27 off 17) and Khushdil Shah (32 off 23) posted some challenge to Lahore's bowling. But their efforts went in vain soon after both the batters got dismissed and Lahore's bowlers completed the formalities by dismissing tailenders in quick intervals.

Mohammad Hafeez steadies Lahore Qalandars

Earlier, Lahore had a troublesome start after winning the toss and opting to bat first as they lost their top-order in first five overs of the game. The side was crawling at 25 after losing their first three batters. Still, experienced Mohammad Hafeez steadied the innings by playing yet another mature innings in the tournament.

Hafeez's 69 off 46 helped the side recover from batting collapse while blistering knocks from Harry Brook (41 of 22) and David Wiese (28 off 8) guided the team to a competitive total. However, Sultans' bowlers put on a perfect bowling display in a high-stake game as they posed tough challenges to Lahore batters. Asif Afridi clinched three crucial wickets in the first innings, as he dismissed Fakhar Zaman (3 off 6), Abdullah Shafique (14 off 13) and Kamran Ghulam (15 off 20). David Willey, too joined the party by dismissing Zeeshan Ashraf (7 off 5) in the 4th over of the game. When it looked like Lahore would suffer a batting collapse in a high-stake game, Hafeez rescued his side by playing a mature knock of 69 in 46 balls.

However, alongside Harry Brooks, dangerous Hafeez was looking too dangerous for Multan Sultans, but Shahnawaz Dahani provided the much-needed breakthrough to his side by dismissing experienced Hafeez on a beautiful delivery. However, Dahani's celebration was a treat to watch as the bowler requested on-field umpire Aleem Dar before going on a celebratory run by folding his hand. Responding to Dahani's request, Dar gestured him to go ahead and let him enjoy his wicket.

Watch the video here:

Notably, in a league stage match, Aleem Dar jokingly tried to stop Dahani from taking a celebratory run after the bowler clinched the crucial wicket of Naseem Shah during a game against Quetta Gladiators. Speaking of the final, Harry Brook's 41 off 22 and David Wiese's blistering 28 in 8 balls guided Lahore Qalandars to post a competitive total of 180 in 20 overs of the game.